Senior Lecturer in Fungal Genetics
Group Leader
Email: a.lorenz (at) abdn.ac.uk
Office (Room 4:20), Phone: +44 (0) 1224 437323
Lab (Room 4:08), Phone: +44 (0) 1224 437499
Alexander graduated in 2000 with a Mag. rer. nat. in Botany (with distinction), and in 2003 obtained a Dr. rer. nat. in Genetics (with distinction) from the University of Vienna, Austria. After working as a postdoctoral research associate with Professor Josef Loidl (now retired) for two years studying the meiotic chromosome axis organization in fission yeast, he was awarded an Erwin Schrödinger-Fellowship from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) to join Professor Matthew Whitby's lab at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford. There he investigated the role of different DNA helicases in homologous recombination.
In May 2013 he joined the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition of the University of Aberdeen as Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology. In August 2021 he was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Fungal Genetics.
He serves as Honorary Treasurer to the Genetics Society, is Associate Editor at Critical Reviews in Microbiology and Microbiological Research, and Editorial Board Member at FEMS Yeast Research.
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition Staff Profile
PhD (Medical Microbiology) Student
MSc (Microbiology) Student (04/2019-07/2019)
Email: s.alsayegh.19 (at) abdn.ac.uk
Office (Room 4:26), Phone: +44 (0) 1224 437509
Lab (Room 4:08), Phone: +44 (0) 1224 437499
Sakinah joined our lab to do her MSc research project on morphogenetic switching in C. auris in April 2019. Lateron, she was awarded a PhD-studentship from the Kuwait Cultural Office to continue this work. She is co-supervised by Dr Donna MacCallum.
BSc (Biotechnology) Student (01/2017-03/2017), PhD (Medical Sciences) Student (10/2017-04/2024)
Stefi did a research project on meiotic recombination in Sz. pombe as part of her Honours degree. She then joined the lab as a PhD-student on an IMS studentship to characterise morphogenetic switches in Candida auris.
PhD (Medical Mycology) Student (09/2019-10/2023)
Chloe joined our lab in September 2019. She was funded by the MRC-CMM at the University of Exeter, and worked on the cellular response of Candida auris to various stresses. Currently, she works as a PDRA with Dr Susan Wyllie at the University of Dundee (UK).
MSc (Microbiology) Student (05/2023-07/2023)
As part of their MSc degree, Art joined our lab to characterise the life cycle of Cryptococcus magnus.
MSc (Molecular Medicine) Student (05/2023-07/2023)
As part of her MSc degree, Romina joined our lab to study meiotic recombination frequency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe mismatch-repair mutants.
Genes & Development Genetics Society Summer Student (06/2023-08/2023)
Eldrian studies for a Biotechnology (Applied Molecular Biology) degree at the University of Aberdeen. He joined the lab to get research experience, he was funded by a Genes & Development summer studentship of the Genetics Society UK.
MSci (Genetics|Immunology) Student (01/2023-03/2023)
As part of her Honours degree, Nadia joined our lab to look at meiotic recombination frequency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe mismatch-repair mutants. Nadia works now as a Clinical Research Associate at Ulysses Neuroscience Ltd in Dublin, Ireland.
BSc (Genetics) Student (01/2022-03/2023)
As part of his Honours degree, Mariusz joined our lab to study meiotic recombination frequency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Mariusz continues to study at the University of Aberdeen for a Master's degree.
BSc (Genetics) Student (01/2023-03/2023)
As part of his Honours degree, Wyatt joined our lab to study meiotic recombination frequency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
MSc (Microbiology) Student (04/2022-07/2022)
As part of her MSc degree, Rhea joined the lab to look at meiotic recombination frequency in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Rhea currently works as a Digital Campaigns Executive at TVF Communications, London, UK.
MSc (Microbiology) Student (04/2022-07/2022)
As part of her MSc degree, Krissie joined the lab to validate a molecular biology tool for Candida auris. In 2024, Krissie joined the Childers lab at the University of Aberdeen for an MSc by Research degree.
MSc (Microbiology) Student (04/2022-07/2022)
Yesenia joined the bioinformatics team of Dr Elaina Collie-Duguid to do a research project for her University of Aberdeen MSc degree in collaboration with our lab. Yesenia works as a Laboratory Technician at Intertek Group plc, Aberdeen, UK.
BSc (Biochemistry) Student (01/2022-03/2022)
Alexandra joined our lab to do a research project for her University of Aberdeen Honours degree. Subsequently, she started an MSc degree in Global Health at the University of Glasgow, UK.
Internship Student (10/2021-12/2021), BSc (Microbiology) Student (01/2022-03/2022)
Lasse joined our lab for a short internship, and later-on to do a research project for his University of Aberdeen Honours degree. Lasse runs his own carbon-negative fruit winery 'Two Raccoons'.
PhD (Medical Sciences) Student (10/2017-01/2022)
Samantha obtained BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Sheffield, UK. For her PhD project she studied the initiation of meiotic recombination in Sz. pombe. Samantha was co-supervised by Professor Adele Marston, University of Edinburgh, UK. She is now working as a health care science practitioner for NHS Grampian.
MSc (Microbiology) Student (04/2021-07/2021)
As part of her MSc degree, Sadia did a laboratory project on C. auris stress response.
MRes (Medical Mycology) student (01/2017-04/2017), PhD (Medical Mycology) Student (10/2017-02/2021)
Zoe is a University of Aberdeen graduate and did her MRes/PhD degree in Medical Mycology on genetic diversity in Candida auris funded by the MRC-CMM at the University of Exeter. She is now working as a trainee clinical scientist for NHS Tayside.
Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) (06/2017-09/2020)
Gustavo obtained his degrees from the University of Córdoba (Spain). After postdoctoral work in Spain and England, he joined the lab in June 2017 to look at karyotypic diversity and genotoxic stress response in Candida auris. He now works as a PDRA with Professor David Horn at the University of Dundee (UK).
Last updated 04/04/2024 - AL