Marc Kaethner: Identifying New Drugs Against Parasitic Worms, from Bern to Melbourne
ASAIN Member Profile
Growing up in Germany, I never imagined my research would take me to Switzerland and then to Australia, thanks to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
I encountered the fascinating field of Parasitology during my Master studies. I studied the developmental biology of parasitic worms – and became hooked. Infections with parasitic worms represent a substantial global health burden, affecting both human and animal populations. Current treatments face mounting resistance, and new therapeutic options are urgently needed.
I wanted to learn more about the identification of new therapeutic options, and here my link to Switzerland began. I had the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Bern, one of the best decisions I have made in my life. There, I immersed myself in Swiss culture, enjoying countless hikes, the lovely people, and exploring the gastronomy, which made Switzerland feel like home. Moreover, working in the research group of Prof. Britta Lundström-Stadelmann, allowed me to focus on drug target identification and screening of new compounds for potential activity against parasitic worms.
After completing my PhD, I continue to pursue my passion, identifying and evaluating targets for new drugs against parasites. I moved to Melbourne in January 2026, because I was awarded a Postdoc.Mobility fellowship from the SNSF. Here, I started to work under the supervision of Prof. Robin Gasser, combining bioinformatic pipelines with automated drug screening approaches. I will be exploring different techniques and methods over the two years of this fellowship and am looking forward to applying them to research projects in Switzerland when I return. The research environment at the University of Melbourne is exceptional, and I am grateful to the SNSF for this opportunity to contribute to the Swiss-Australian research community.
When I'm not in the laboratory, I enjoy hiking through Melbourne's surrounding landscapes, experiencing the unique wildlife, and discovering what makes this country so compelling. If you are interested in reading more about my research, please keep an eye out for my publications. I look forward to connecting with you at conferences or through the ASAIN network.
You can reach out and get in touch with Marc via his LinkedIn profile.
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