Dr. Christian Schwartz leads a working group at the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany. The group integrates basic research with clinical applications. His primary focus is on the type 2 immune response, historically linked to parasitic infections and its emerging role in conditions like obesity. “It is quite interesting and diverse,” Schwartz explains, highlighting the broader implications of this connection. “By conducting animal research, we have learnt that the immune cells involved in parasitic infections play a crucial role in maintaining healthy fat tissue. We now collaborate with the obesity clinic in Erlangen, where we collect clinical samples from patients with obesity.”
A former EMBO Postdoctoral Fellow at Trinity College in Dublin, Christian Schwartz is not shy of stating that the EMBO Fellowship has been pivotal in his career development, offering not only financial support but also professional independence and networking opportunities. The fellowship allowed him to work with greater autonomy and connect with leading experts. Additionally, the EMBO Lab Leadership Course has been instrumental in the transition to leadership: “I often refer back to that course now that I manage my own team.”
In addition to his research projects, Christian Schwartz joined the EMBO Scientific Exchange Grants Advisory Board starting October 2024. He is interested in supporting early-career researchers, as international mobility and exposure to different research environment was a game changer for his career. “It is always great to see how other labs operate. Even when the experience is not ideal, you learn from it, and it broadens your perspective.”
