Dr. Lisa Gölz
Junior Group Leader at the BioQuant Center and the Institute of Pharmacy at Heidelberg University’s Faculty of Medicine; Member of the HCE since 2023
My research examines how environmental exposure to pollutants is linked to disease-related mechanisms. I am particularly interested in cardiovascular, neurodevelopmental, and endocrine effects at the intersection of environmental toxicology, pharmacology, and human tissue engineering. We aim to answer the following questions:
- How do PFAS and other micropollutants act across biological levels—from molecular signaling pathways to organ and organism functions?
- What (conserved) mechanisms can be identified between aquatic fish models and human stem cell models (organoids, beating cardiomyocytes)?
- How can sensitive biomarkers and improved testing strategies be developed to detect environmentally relevant exposures earlier and more reliably?
- How can experimental data from zebrafish, human tissue, and modeling systems be mechanistically linked to improve predictions of environmental and health risks?
- And, together with HCE members: How can these findings best contribute to environmental health, prevention, and evidence-based protection against persistent pollutants?
Why I joined the HCE
I joined the HCE because my research clearly views environmental impacts as a One Health issue, and I am convinced that good ideas in this area arise primarily through dialogue with other disciplines. What I particularly appreciate about the HCE is that it brings together a wide variety of perspectives from environmental sciences, ecology, social sciences, health research, and beyond. This diverse network greatly motivates me to forge new connections and to work together to further develop interdisciplinary research approaches.
My highlights so far
For me, the general meetings are a highlight of the HCE because they always foster a wonderful, open exchange and often mark the beginning of new and exciting projects. I am also particularly grateful for the HCE’s support in founding and establishing the Organoid Research Club in Heidelberg (ORCH) and the Heidelberg Organoid Symposium 2025, which attracted over 140 participants from a wide range of disciplines—all made possible by the HCE ExU Seed Funding 2025. Overall, the professional exchange at the HCE is a great asset to me because it opens up new perspectives on environmental and health risks and creates opportunities for future collaborations. And above all, it is the intrinsically motivated and dedicated researchers at the HCE who make the network so special to me.
My key partners
Within the HCE, my work has direct connections with colleagues at the intersections of environmental analysis, aquatic systems—for example, in the water project—and global health. Through the HCE, a collaboration has developed with Sunderland AG at Harvard University SEAS. Other important partners outside the HCE include the Heidelberg Institute of Pharmacology, colleagues at BioQuant, the Moretti Group at TUM, partners at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, as well as networks and collaborators at the DZHK and in organoid engineering, including those from the IMSEAM and DKFZ communities.