Our team
At the heart of myriamed are the people.
We are a close-knit team brought together by a shared belief in the power of science to make a difference. We value trust, openness and collaboration, bringing together different backgrounds and perspectives to learn from one another, challenge ideas and work toward one shared purpose: better human models, better medicines.
What makes myriamed special is not only what we build, but how we build it – together.
Prof. Dr. Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann
Founder and Scientific Advisor
For more than 25 years, he has been at the forefront of engineered human muscle research, advancing the field from early tissue-engineering concepts to defined, functional human models and translational applications. His pioneering work established the scientific foundation of myriamed and continues to shape its technology and vision for human-relevant tissue models in drug discovery. With more than 200 publications and 10 patents, his research remains central to myriamed.
Arne Östlind
Co-founder and CEO
An entrepreneur and business leader, he co-founded the hanfried Group in 2000 and grew it into an established HR services group with 10 sites across Germany and more than €40 million in annual revenue. As a co-founder of myriamed and CEO since 2025, he brings extensive experience in building organisations, developing businesses and driving sustainable growth. His leadership supports myriamed’s strategic development and expansion.
Gunther Zimmermann
Co-founder and CEO
A strong example of entrepreneurship and the “family and friends” spirit behind myriamed. As the brother of Prof. Zimmermann, cousin of Peter Beyer (CEO of Jobactive), and childhood friend of hanfried co-founders Dr. Timm Eifler and Arne Östlind, Gunther was a driving force behind the founding of hanfried in 2000. He remains active in the group today and exemplifies the importance of trust, long-standing relationships and belief in people and their visions.
Dr. Arpita Chowdhury
VP Research and Operations
With 15 years of experience spanning academic research and biotech, including drug discovery and cardiovascular research, she leads scientific development and operations at myriamed. She oversees R&D activities, aligning scientific programs with client needs and company strategy. She drives portfolio development, strategic partnerships and new applications of human-relevant models in drug discovery, connecting science, technology and business to advance myriamed’s growth.
Dr. Tim Meyer
Lead Automation Expert
Dr. Tim Meyer drives automation and technology development at myriamed, with a key role in the development of the myrImager and 48-well myrPlate platform. He has helped establish integrate automated imaging and data acquisition into myriamed’s workflows, enabling high-throughput, standardized analysis of engineered heart tissues. His work combines expertise in biotechnology, biophysical research and cardiac tissue models to advance scalable and efficient screening platforms for drug discovery.
Dr.rer.nat. Goubin Bao
Lead HTS and Imaging platform
Drawing on his academic and postdoctoral research experience at UMG, Dr. Goubin Bao brings deep expertise in microscopy, image-based analysis and high-throughput screening. At myriamed he contributes this expertise to the development and optimisation of imaging workflows and HTS assays using high content imaging for iPSC-derived cellular models. His expertise supports robust, scalable and reproducible screening approaches for human-relevant drug discovery.
Dr. Elif Levent
Senior Scientist | Head of Product Development
With 10+ years of expertise in iPSC technology, tissue engineering and engineered heart muscle, she brings experience in cardiac disease modelling, drug screening and regenerative medicine. Her work includes preclinical development of a hypoimmunogenic EHM therapy for heart failure at Repairon GmbH. At myriamed, she applies her expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 and iPSC technologies to product development and leads production, ensuring quality and consistency of cellular models.
Dr. rer. nat. Branimir Berečić
Scientist | Head of Tissue Engineering Platform
His work at myriamed focuses on advancing the tissue engineering platform, building on his PhD research in Prof. Zimmermann’s group. He specializes in human iPSC-derived muscle models, engineered tissues and functional phenotyping, developing robust and scalable models and quantitative assays for disease modelling and drug screening. He drives the development of reproducible, translational screening platforms that advance human-relevant drug discovery.
Dr. Eriona Heta
Senior Product Pipeline Manager
Bringing a decade of cross-functional experience at myriamed, Dr. Heta played a key role in setting up the lab infrastructure, workflows and product processes. As Senior Product Pipeline Manager she is working closely with customers to translate scientific and market needs into impactful solutions while connecting R&D with business development. Her expertise in cardiac research and tissue engineering is complemented by critical thinking and a positive, solution-oriented mindset.
Krasimira Sharkova
Head of Lab Operations
Since joining myriamed at its early days in 2019, she has played a key role in establishing cell and tissue production processes that underpin the company’s products. As Head of Lab Operations, she oversees day-to-day laboratory activities, manufacturing workflows and quality management, ensuring efficient and consistent operations. She also supports the onboarding and supervision of interns and new team members, helping maintain high standards across the laboratory.
Gisele Bolze
Senior research associate
With a background in Biology and a Master’s degree in Animal Biology, Gisele joined myriamed in 2022. She brings hands-on expertise in iPSC and iPSC-derived models, supporting R&D activities, laboratory operations and quality control. Her work ensures quality and reproducibility in cell culture, coordinating daily laboratory operations, supporting efficient workflows and driving continuous improvement of processes and experimental standards.
Mariam Nozadze
Research Associate
At myriamed, she contributes to the development and production of iPSC-derived cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, supporting robust and scalable production processes. Her work spans cell culture, stem cell differentiation and molecular biology, contributing to reliable human-relevant models for research and drug discovery. Her M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and stem cell research background support the development of myriamed’s iPSC-based platforms.
Karoline Jobst
Technical Assistant
She supports myriamed’s daily laboratory operations, with a focus on cell culture and routine handling of iPSC-derived cells. With extensive experience as a laboratory technician across biochemistry and clinical pharmacology at the University of Göttingen, she brings strong practical expertise in laboratory workflows and cell-based work. Her experience supports reliable and consistent cell culture processes and the smooth operation of day-to-day R&D activities.
