Our Team
Domagoj Cikes is from Split, Croatia. Having earned his Ph.D. from the Medical University in Innsbruck, he continued his postdoctoral training at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA) in Vienna. He has made contributions to the field of metabolism, metabolic diseases, and the intersection of metabolism and healthspan, and treatments for specific disorders using animal models. His passion lies in understanding crtical metabolic pathways to enhance healthspan and pioneering medical interventions based on these findings. Beyond the lab, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring new cultures through travel, as well as rock climbing and diving.
Domagoj Cikes
Principal Investigator
Nicolò Sbardellati comes from Mantua, Italy. After his studies in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, he pursued his Master’s thesis focusing on drug-discovery for rare Glycogen Storage Disorders at the University of Trento. After a short period as research assistant, he joined Domagoj Cikes’ laboratory as a PhD student to investigate metabolic pathways affecting lifespan and aging. He is motivated and passionate about science, and enjoys the problem-solving aspects of working in the laboratory. In his free time, he enjoys contact sports, running, and relaxing activities such as reading books, playing the guitar, and painting.
Nicolo Sbardellati
PhD student
Raluca Vladu comes from Bucharest, Romania. She earned her Bachelor's degree at the Department of Biochemistry from University of Bucharest, where her thesis focused on the biochemical and morphological aspects of erythrocytes in anemia. Driven by an interest in translational research, she joined Domagoj Cikes' laboratory to investigate metabolic pathways and their role in enhancing healthspan. She is motivated to learn and to spend her time trying to understand the mysteries inside the cells. Outside of the laboratory, she enjoys snowboarding, listening to music and reading.
Raluca Vladu
Master student
Sophie Neswadba is from Vienna, Austria. She studied Molecular Biotechnology and completed her bachelor's thesis at the CCRI in Vienna, focusing on neuroblastoma research. During her master's studies, she developed a strong interest in stem cell biology and aging research. Alongside her studies, she worked at the Vienna Open Lab, guiding participants through experimental protocols and sharing her enthusiasm for science with diverse audiences. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through sports, including skiing, as well as traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Sophie Neswadba
Master student
Past group members
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Hannah Lang, Intern student