Sonja Hager

Background

About Sonja Hager

I am a resourceful research scientist working to investigate and improve anticancer therapy in a preclinical setting. Already as a kid, I loved to solve puzzles and riddles including math homework. This passion for problem-solving as well as for comprehensively understanding the solutions led me to science and now drives my motivation for research. Of special interest to me is the effect of diet (food components and contaminants as well as supplements) on the activity of anticancer drugs with special focus on the immune system. Mycotoxins that contaminate food might alter anticancer therapy already at very low levels. Similarly, supplements such as vitamins or berry extracts taken alongside treatment might impair rather than improve therapy outcome. Consequently, my aim is to increase the knowledge on Food-Drug Interactions to raise therapeutic efficiency. An integral part of my work encompasses the identification of the Food-Drug Interactions on a molecular and cellular level using in vitro as well as in vivo approaches. My current focus lies on the importance of the immune system during anticancer therapy as well as the underlying mechanisms. I enjoy the challenge of cooperating in international and interdisciplinary research projects as well as the planning and execution of novel experimental approaches for scientific questions. The supervision and mentoring of students improved my teamwork and my skill of managing concurrent projects. My colleagues would describe me as perceptive, reliable, open-minded and ambitious in reaching my goals efficiently once they are set.