Ulrike Schimpf

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

I am trained as a chemist and hold a PhD in biology with specialization in biochemistry from the Humboldt University in Germany, guided by Prof. W. Lockau at the Department of Plant Biochemistry.

Thereafter, I was recruited as researcher/project leader at the private research institute “Institute of Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects affiliated to Berlin Humboldt University (IASP)” within the Department of Biogenic Raw Materials. During my employment, I was establishing and managing a laboratory unit for enzymatic, spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis, acting as Principal investigator (Project leader and coordinator in Biopolymer Science) and mentored >30 interns and graduates, Erasmus, DAAD and PhD students. At this time, I was also engaged in mentoring a female engineer student within a mentoring network called MINTPORT (funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, European Social Fund and European Union), enabling students with female gender to complete their technical course of studies. The programme included leadership coaching.

In 2017, I moved to Sweden to the Royal Institute of Technology, starting as post-doctoral scientist and continued as researcher under Dr. Thomas Crouzier at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, within the Division of Glycoscience in the Department of Chemistry. I joined the company Cirqle Biomedical, Denmark, in 2019 as consultant and shareholder. In 2020, I started consultancy for Nidacon, Sweden. Consultancy comprises advisory activities on the stability, compatibility and application of medical devices. I am further engaged in safety of the working environment as safety representative, saftey trainer and member of KTH groups as Incident Report Committee.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My multidisciplinary research comprises the fields chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and biomedicine and lays at the interface between private and public research with strong emphasis on industrial collaboration. I am passionate about bringing fundamental science to the market. The fundamental research and product development shall contribute to improved resource and energy efficiency as well as humans health. This incorporates the essential elements: revelation of polymer-polymer or polymer-cell interactions and polymer characterization, modification, degradation and biocompatibility.

The applied biopolymer science is primary based on polysaccharides, proteins or glycoproteins including:

(1)     Biopolymer mucin/chitosan (ongoing):

Assay/product development and toxicity studies for non-hormonal contraception development, cervical mucus assessment and predictability of sperm penetrability, supporting women´s health.

Development of a sperm selection device for ART, supporting human reproduction.

(2)     Biopolymer lignocellulose (ongoing):

Enzyme applications in anaerobic processes (ensiling/hydrolysis/biogas formation; laboratory/technical/practical scale) for improvement of substrate turnover and electricity output

Mechanical, chemical and enzymatic degradation of lignocellulose

Development of an enzyme preparation using waste streams of edible mushroom production (Lentinula edodes), and feasibility of using biogas process waste streams in edible mushroom production with focus on creating a value chain in agricultural industry including plant, energy, heat, enzyme and edible mushroom production and other potential pathways of utilization as found in biorefineries.

(3)     Biopolymer collagen:

Development of micronized collagen exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties, supporting oral human health

(4)     Biopolymer starch:

Investigations on cyclodextrins for mycotoxin capture in feedstocks, supporting animal health

(5)     Oligomer melanoidin:

Fundamental studies on the formation of intermediates during sugar production