About me
I am driven by curiosity and an always evolving desire to learn, grow, and create. My journey has taken me from from a small town in Austria, where I grew up, to the bustling city of New York City, where I currently live. My career path has evolved from clinical radiology to advanced imaging techniques and now to molecular neuroscience research.
As a scientist in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the Rockefeller University, I focus on understanding what happens to the cells of the human brain when neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s or Alzheimer’s disease strike. By unraveling these complex systems, I aim to contribute to advancing knowledge and ultimately improving the lives of those affected by these devastating conditions.
I am Dr. Christina Pressl, I hold an M.D. from the Medical University of Graz, Austria and a PhD from Rockefeller University, New York.
After my medical training and three years in radiology residency in Vienna, I joined Rockefeller University in 2014, where I earned a master’s degree in clinical translational science under the mentorship of Dr. Winrich Freiwald. In 2018, I joined the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, where I completed my PhD under the guidance of Dr. Nathaniel Heintz. During my PhD, I developed sFANS, a pioneering strategy for isolating the major cell types from the human post-mortem cortex. This work has significant implications for understanding the cellular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, I hold the position of Instructor in Clinical Investigations at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology. In this role, I continue my research on neurodegenerative diseases at the cell-type specific level, aiming to uncover novel insights that could lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.