Team | siTOOLs Biotech

Dr. Michael Hannus

Founder & Managing Director

With over 15 years experience as an RNAi screening Group Leader (previously at Cenix Bioscience) and with research experience from EMBL Heidelberg (PhD), CU Boulder Colorado and renown German universities (Ludwig-Maximillians University &University of Regensburg), Michael applies a keen scientific eye and deep technical expertise towards managing scientific services and R&D projects at siTOOLs. His scientific background coupled with practical market implementation forms the basis of siTOOLs Biotech's reputation as a research-driven company.

Prof. Dr. Gunter Meister

Co-Founder

and Head of Department of Biochemistry, University of Regensburg

Gunter is an expert in his field of RNA research. He worked with RNAi pioneer, Dr. Tom Tuschl at Rockefeller University, before starting his own group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in 2005 and has authored more than 100 publications and the textbook, "RNA Biology". Gunter serves as siTOOLs Biotech's scientific advisor and uses siTOOLs' products in his research on mammalian small RNA-guided gene silencing pathways.

Dr. Stefan Hannus

Strategic Alliance Manager

and Managing Director of Intana Bioscience

Co-founder of siTOOLs Biotech's sister company, Intana Bioscience, Stefan supports business development and research grant applications at siTOOLs Biotech. Stefan is an expert in fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy which is used for detailed evaluation of molecular interactions. An avid beekeeper, Stefan is the driving force behind Beepax, a research project initiated at siTOOLs that aims to rid bees of harmful Varroan parasites.

Dr. Frank Becker

General Manager

Frank studied biology in Cologne, Germany. After a postdoc at the University of California, he worked for GPC Biotech AG. He has 25 years of experience in the biotech industries and is co-founder of four companies, including siTOOLs Biotech GmbH. As a general manager, he coordinates the financial, legal, and project management activities of the company.

Andrew Walsh

Bioinformatics

Previously from Cenix Bioscience, Andrew is the bioinformatics and programming expert at siTOOLs Biotech. With over 10 years of IT and siRNA design experience, Andrew is responsible for all reagent design pipelines and the functional screening database and analysis suite (Phenovault). He also applies his IT knowledge into establishing siTOOLs' in-house production tracking systems and customer management software, facilitating fast and efficient delivery and customer support.

Dr. Nicola Conci

RNA-Seq Specialist & Bioinformatician

Nicola studied Biology at the University of Milan in Italy. After completing his PhD at Ludwig-Maximilians University here in Munich, he joined siTOOLs Biotech in 2021. At siTOOLs Biotech, Nicola applies his experience in RNA-Seq to further develop the company's ribodepletion tools and provides customer technical support. When he is not in the lab or coding, he enjoys baking cakes, training in the gym and hunting for LPs.

Matthias Weiss

Head of Production

Matthias studied Biochemistry at the University of Regensburg. After his PhD at the Helmholtz Centre Munich, he joined siTOOLs Biotech in 2023. As the head of production, he is responsible for coordinating and improving production related processes to ensure the high quality of our products. In his free time he enjoys playing video games, going to the gym, and playing football.

Kevin Wobedo

Scientific Sales & Marketing

Kevin studied Biology and Molecular Ecology at the University of Bayreuth and joined siTOOLs Biotech in 2021. Here, he is coordinating the technical support and customer projects as well as guiding the international communication with distributors, academic or industry customers and collaborators. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys rock climbing, cycling and playing board games.

Dr. Laura Leiva

Scientific Marketing

Laura did her PhD at the Alfred-Wegener Institute on the island of Helgoland. Besides being a marine scientist, Laura is passionate about design and science communication. At siTOOLs Biotech she uses her creative side to create the brand's content and promote our products. Her multicultural and scientific background helps her connect with our clients around the world. In her free-time she enjoys swimming, drinking iced coffee and watercolor painting.

Jessie Midgley

Junior Sales Manager

Jessie studied Bioinformatics at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and joined siTOOLs Biotech in January. Here she serves as the link between production and sales, funneling incoming customer orders into the production pipeline and overseeing the shipments. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, crocheting, and binge-watching series.

Learn more about siTOOLs Biotech:

siTOOLs Biotech is also supported by a team of excellent,
dedicated scientists and bioinformaticians
that work behind the scenes to bring you our products.

Our Team

The People Behind siTOOLs Biotech