Dr. Abdul Aziz Abou Watfa Successfully Defends His Dissertation

On July 13, 2026, Dr. Abdul Aziz Abou Watfa successfully defended his dissertation on the topic, “Heterogeneity of IgA Nephropathy: A Comparative Analysis of Clinical and Pathological Characteristics in the Magdeburg Biopsy Registry.

Foto (v.l.): Prof. Peter R. Mertens und Dr. Abdul Aziz Abou Watfa. Quelle: privat

IMSA 2025 Poster Award

Mr. Abou-Watfa won first prize in the poster competition at the IMSA (Internal Medicine Saxony-Anhalt) in Halle on November 14, 2025.

Dr. Julia Schiwietz Successfully Defends Her Dissertation

On November 12, 2025, Ms. Julia Schiwietz successfully defended her dissertation on the topic, “The cold shock protein YB-1 mediates pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory model in mice.”

Foto (v.l.): Frau Dr. Schiwietz und Frau Dr. Brandt .Quelle: privat

Foto (v.l.): Prof. Mertens und Frau Dr. Schiwietz. Quelle: privat

Mr. Mohammed Rafea Kanaan Successfully Defends His Dissertation

On October 8, 2025, Mr. Mohammed Rafea Kanaan successfully defended his dissertation on the topic, “Biopsy-Diagnosed Kidney Diseases: Epidemiology, Disease Entities, and Autoimmunology.”

Foto: (vl) Prof. Mertens, Herr Kanaan, Herr Dr. Scurt Quelle: privat

Mr. Gregor Hoppstock Successfully Defends His Dissertation

On August 26, 2025, Mr. Gregor Hoppstock successfully defended his dissertation on the topic, “DNA-binding protein A (DbpA) is secreted in an LPS- and calcium-dependent manner and stimulates cell migration and proliferation.”

Foto: (v.l.) Prof. Mertens, Herr Hoppstock, Herr Dr. Lindquist. Quelle: privat

MSA 2025 Poster Award

Mr. Abou-Watfa won first prize for a poster at the IMSA (Internal Medicine Saxony-Anhalt) conference in Halle on November 14, 2025.

Dr. Julia Schiwietz Successfully Defends Her Dissertation

On November 12, 2025, Ms. Julia Schiwietz successfully defended her dissertation on the topic, “The cold shock protein YB-1 mediates pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory model in mice.”

Foto (v.l.): Frau Dr. Schiwietz und Frau Dr. Brandt .Quelle: privat

Foto (v.l.): Prof. Mertens und Frau Dr. Schiwietz. Quelle: privat

Mr. Christopher Hessman Successfully Defends His Dissertation

On June 23, 2025, Mr. Christopher Hessman successfully defended his dissertation on the topic, “The Role of the Cold Shock Protein YB-1 in Progranulin-Mediated Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Signaling Pathways.”

Ms. Charlotte Reichardt Successfully Defends Her Dissertation

On April 30, 2025, Ms. Charlotte Reichardt successfully defended her dissertation on the topic, “DNA-binding protein-A promotes kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury and participates in mitochondrial function.”