Dr. Pauline Jeckel

Senior Scientist

Pauline holds a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from the University of Heidelberg and earned her Master’s in Neurobiology at the University of Tübingen. In 2018, she began her PhD in Molecular Neurobiology at the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen.
Her doctoral research focused on the receptor tyrosine kinase Met as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. She investigated how Met influences the organization of inhibitory synapses through mTOR signaling, contributing to a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.
Alongside her academic work, Pauline has a strong passion for science communication. She is committed to making complex scientific topics accessible to the public, which led her to join the press and public relations team at NMI after completing her PhD. There, she effectively combined her scientific background with skills in journalism and public engagement.

Pauline also gained hands-on experience in marketing and communications, contributing to the high-profile “THE LÄND” campaign for the state of Baden-Württemberg and supporting corporate communications in an industrial environment.
In 2025, she joined the 3R Center for In Vitro Models and Animal Testing Alternatives as a Postdoctoral Researcher, where she contributes to the development of innovative, animal-free research methods.

In her new role as the head of the 3R-Center Tübingen Business Unit, she will promote closer collaboration between academia, industry and society to advance the development and implementation of human-relevant models and expand our Organ-on-Chip training portfolio further. Pauline will also represent the Center within the 3R-Network Baden-Württemberg, thereby contributing to stronger regional and national collaboration within the field.

Outside the lab, Pauline enjoys creative projects, running, and spending time outdoors, especially hiking and cycling.