Dr Jennifer Debarry

Jennifer Debarry has served as Science Manager since 2008 and, since 2015, has led the joint activities of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Hannover Medical School (MHH) in individualised infection medicine. As Head of the Coordination Office of the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM), she orchestrates strategic planning and forges interdisciplinary partnerships to accelerate innovations in infection research. Her efforts as co‑applicant on multiple major CiiM proposals have secured over €30 million in funding. She is equally committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of scientists essential to advancing personalised medicine.
 

A biologist by training, Jennifer earned her degree in Biology from Leibniz Universität Hannover, completed her diploma thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, and performed her doctorate work at the Borstel Research Centre awarded by the Christian‑Albrechts‑Universität Kiel. To bolster her leadership acumen, she undertook targeted management training at Leibniz Universität Hannover and gained hands‑on professional experience in the USA. With extensive experience navigating the German research‑organization landscape, authoring numerous peer‑reviewed publications, and managing high‑stakes international projects—from vaccine development programmes to cutting‑edge CRISPR/Cas initiatives— she brings a unique blend of rigorous scientific expertise and strategic coordination to every project.