Born and raised in Potsdam, Germany, Dr Gerd Mittelstädt’s interest in molecular science—the science that forms the basis of life—started when he was a high school student.

He went on to study Biochemistry at Potsdam University, and obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Canterbury in 2015. After graduating he returned to Germany to work in a start-up hosted by Charité (Universitätsmedizin Berlin)—one of the largest hospitals in Europe.

After leaving the start-up, Gerd took up a postdoctoral fellowship at Potsdam University, before moving back to New Zealand and joining Emily Parker’s lab at the Ferrier Research Institute in late 2018.

His research is focussed on protein biochemistry and structural biology, predominantly on enzymes with significance for human health. Current projects see him working on allosteric control in bacterial amino acid biosynthesis, development of techology for novel food products in conjunction with the Riddet Institute, as well as supporting the Ferrier’s efforts in synthetic biology, and transition state inhibitor development.

He says the freedom he has in how he achieves his research goals is a highlight of working with the Ferrier Research Institute.

In addition to his research, Gerd supports many of the PhD candidates in the lab, and supervises Summer Research students.