IMPloyable talent: Lorena Hofbauer

Lorena Hofbauer is a recent PhD graduate from the lab of Alexander Stark. During her PhD, she discovered the properties of silencers–regulatory DNA sequences that repress gene activity–in the fruit fly genome. Lorena wants to contribute to roles that drive innovation and improve human health, and is now exploring opportunities in industry.

How did you get into science?

I’ve always been a really curious person. Back in school, I remember how I felt when I learnt about the genetic code for the first time—how it’s this elegant system shared by all animals. I thought that was so cool, it made me want to learn more about biology. So, I studied molecular biotechnology for my bachelor’s, and then molecular biology for my master’s, both in Vienna. During my studies, I did internships abroad in Amsterdam and London, where I had the chance to work with amazing researchers. For example, I worked in the lab of Frank Uhlmann at the Francis Crick Institute with really passionate and ambitious scientists.

What inspired you to pursue a PhD?

I got a taste of what it’s like to work in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment, and I loved it. That experience made me realise I wanted to take the next step—designing and leading my own scientific project to help push our understanding of human biology forward. I already knew about the Vienna BioCenter PhD Program from my studies and had heard great things about the campus. It’s such an exciting place, with tons of collaboration and idea-sharing between different groups and institutes, which really drew me in. Plus, I was really fascinated by gene regulation, which happens to be the Stark lab’s specialty—so it felt like the perfect fit!

What does the Stark lab do?

Our lab studies gene regulation, which is fundamental for multicellular life. It’s what allows a single fertilised egg to develop into an adult organism with all its complex tissues and cell types. It’s all driven by the differential regulation of the genome. What makes our lab especially stimulating is its interdisciplinary approach—we combine wet lab biochemistry with computational and Artificial Intelligence research to tackle fundamental questions in biology. It’s a very dynamic and innovative space to work in.

What was the focus of your PhD?

My research focused on discovering and studying regulatory DNA sequences called silencers. These are really tricky to find on a genome-wide scale, and we didn’t know much about how they work. Together with others I developed a screening method to identify these silencers in the fruit fly genome, which allowed us to discover some of their properties and mechanisms. I set up the screening technology after a collaborative brainstorming process, and the idea didn’t work perfectly at first. I had to refine and develop the method to make it functional, which was both challenging and rewarding. In the end, we mapped hundreds of silencers in the fruit fly genome and identified their key features. It was a great mix of problem-solving and discovery.

What advice would you give to prospective PhD students, and how can they navigate challenges during their journey?

My advice would be to follow your scientific interests, but just as importantly, find an environment where you feel supported. A good environment not only helps you succeed in your research but also supports your career development and personal growth. It makes all the difference. As for challenges, there will definitely be some—that’s part of the process. The key is to take breaks and periodically step back to keep the big picture in mind. When you’re deep into your project, it’s easy to get stuck on details that might not matter as much in the long run. Taking time to reflect and regularly checking how everything fits together will help you stay on track and make better progress.

What have you been up to since your PhD, and what’s next for you?

After finishing my PhD, I focused on wrapping up my manuscript based on my research, and I’m happy to say it’s now published in Molecular Cell! As for what’s next, I’m looking at opportunities in industry. During my PhD, I got really good at planning projects, getting things done on time, and juggling different responsibilities, so I want to put those skills to work in my next role—whether that’s improving human health or helping innovative products to get to the market. Right now I’m exploring opportunities in medical affairs, regulatory affairs and clinical research. Basically, roles where I can use my skills to help bring new treatments to patients. I love being in spaces where science meets strategy, making sure innovations don’t just stay in the lab but actually make a difference in people’s lives. At the end of the day, I want to do work that’s meaningful and has a real impact on healthcare.

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Interested in Lorena’s profile? Contact her at [email protected] or https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/lorenahofbauer/