EUROTOX 2024

Anna Borgström has a versatile scientific background with over 10 years’ experience of working in the field of cell and molecular biology at the crossroad between cell-based assays, cancer biology and diagnostic assay development. In early 2022 she joined InSphero as Senior Scientist and Deputy VP Liver Safety team, working as scientific lead and customer-based service studies and numerous R&D projects. In her role at InSphero she is determined to drive the development of next-generation testing methods for drug toxicity and to close the gap between in vivo and in vitro testing, by providing solutions for liver safety questions through the application of 3D liver models as an alternative to animal testing.

Dr. Bärbel Ulmer, Director of Business Development for Europe at InSphero, Zürich, strives to blend scientific innovation in the field of 3D culture and stem cell research with commercial applications in drug discovery and toxicology. In her previous role as the Head of Tissue Engineering at DiNAQOR AG, she fast-tracked gene therapy solutions through human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and engineered heart tissue platforms. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Developmental Biology from the University of Hohenheim and Hebrew University, a postdoc at Cornell University and a lecturer position at the Institue of experimental Toxicology and Pharmakology at the Medical University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf.

With a BSc and MSc degree in Medical Biotechnology from Berlin, Germany, Christine began her career as a Scientist specializing in 3D in vitro cell culture and organ-on-chip systems. Transitioning into Business Development in 2020, she has since focused on driving collaborations betweem CROs and Industry for early drug discovery. Currently serving as the Business Development Manager for Nordics & UK at InSphero AG since August 2023, Christine is passionate about advancing preclinical 3D cell culture solutions and Multi-Organ-Chips for drug safety and efficacy testing. Her work is dedicated to improving the drug development processes, fostering innovation, and reducing reliance on animal testing to enhance faster development of new treatment options for patients.

Maria Vittoria Colombo is a Scientist and Product Coordinator of Liver Safety at InSphero. In her role, she manages service projects and is responsible for the development and maintenance of the cross-species liver spheroids portfolio. Maria Vittoria earned her PhD in Bioengineering from Politecnico di Milano, where her research focused on developing Microphysiological Systems to investigate the bone-tumor microenvironment. Her research involved partnership with EOC hospital and DBM Basel in Switzerland, as well as the German Cancer Research Center in Germany.