CV Merle van Gelder

Charmed by the German work environment, I decided to conduct my final research project in Cologne. I had an amazing time in the lab of neuro-immunology, which I even extended for a few months.  Here I studied Zika virus tropism to human Schwann cells and its implications for Guillain-Barre syndrome. I had the chance to work with three different Zika virus strains and tried to elucidate how infection could lead to auto-immune neuropathy.  Moreover, I made friends for a lifetime and I still visit Cologne multiple times a year.