Assistant Professor
Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden Cell Observatory
semrau@physics.leidenuniv.nl
Research interests
I am interested in single-cell decision making in stem cell differentiation. I develop quantitative methods to measure gene expression in single cells.
Education
1/2014 – 03/2015 Visiting scientist, Jaenisch Lab, Whitehead Institute
1/2010 – 01/2015 Postdoctoral fellow, van Oudenaarden Systems Biology Lab at MIT
10/2009 PhD in physics, Leiden University, The Netherlands,
Thesis: “Membrane heterogeneity”,
Grade: “with distinction” (equivalent to “summa cum laude”)
7/2005 – 10/2009 PhD student, Leiden University, The Netherlands,
working on material properties of biological assemblies in the group of Thomas Schmidt, co-supervisor: Cornelis Storm
3/2005 Diploma in physics, RWTH Aachen, Germany (equivalent to a master’s degree in physics)
Thesis: “Electron transport through one-dimensional arrays of metallic nanoparticles”,
Grade: “with distinction” (equivalent to “summa cum laude”)
10/1999 – 3/2005 Studies of physics, RWTH Aachen, Germany,
Specializations: Theoretical solid state physics / Many-particle theory, Biophysics
Fellowships and Awards
3/2010 Marie Curie international outgoing fellowship of the European Commission (declined)
12/2009 RUBICON fellowship of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
10/2008 Discoverer of the year of the physics faculty, Leiden University
7/2005 Springorum medal of the RWTH Aachen for the diploma exams passed with distinction
3/2005 Schoeneborn prize from the “Freunde und Foerderer der RWTH Aachen e.V.” for the diploma exams passed with distinction
3/2002-12/2004 Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation