Dr Caroline Muellenbroich she/elle/sie/lei

My research group develops advanced microscopy techniques to investigate the workings of electrically active cells like those found in the brain or the heart. Our research sits at the interface of physics, life sciences, bio-engineering and computing sciences.

Our current focus is on light-sheet microscopy, 3-photon microscopy, fast remote focusing microscopy and high-throughput imaging systems which we co-develop in close collaboration with our life-sciences partners in the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences. Our innovative tools aim to understand cardiac excitable systems over a range of space and time scales with a particular interest in understanding how structure and function are interconnected.

Potential PhD projects could involve experimental work at the optical bench on developing imaging techniques or more data-orientated projects on the pipeline of analysis of large 3D datasets. Some of our microscopes now routinely produce vast amounts of data best analysed with automated processes. To this end, I am keen to expand collaboration with data scientists with expertise in AI and machine learning. There is scope for hands-on biological work with live tissues and organs to investigate electrophysiology or tissue clearing protocols that render opaque tissues transparent. Emerging quantum technologies are another exciting avenue to pursue where they offer advantages to classical approaches to imaging. Collaborations with chemistry could lead to the development of improved fluorophores that are tailored to new quantum sources of light.

I am passionate about improving equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in STEM. I helped organise webinar series in physics and chemistry to empower diverse talent and demonstrate how diversity can lead to impact. Recently, I organised a conference aimed specifically at women and nonbinary undergraduates in Physics (CUWiP). CUWiP showcased inspirational women and non-binary physicists, highlighting exciting career opportunities and providing professional and social networking. It created a much-needed space for UG students from minority groups to combat the feeling of isolation or alienation, to foster a sense of belonging, as well as bolster confidence in their capabilities to succeed, and remove the limits of their aspirations by simply re-igniting an enjoyment of physics . CUWiP also beautifully demonstrated that diversity follows from being inclusive. I believe that physics is for everyone and can make all kinds of people thrive and in turn physics itself will thrive, once it is pursued by all kinds of people. I see the DiveIn CDT as an opportunity to create a sense of belonging in the next diverse generation of researchers and so enable them to make the next breakthroughs in science and innovation.

I am half German and half French and speak several languages. I love dogs, puns and gardening. My most recent projects involves espalier training of fruit trees and the creation of pollinator-friendly habitats.