Jack Bravo, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Jack was born in the UK, and received a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Leeds before obtaining his Ph.D. in structural biology and biophysics from the University of Leeds, UK. During this time, he used every biophysical tool available to him to study the mechanisms of RNA chaperone proteins in virus assembly. After a brief stint at the University of Cambridge, he moved to the University of Texas at Austin to work with David Taylor and specialise in cryo-EM. While in the Taylor lab he developed an interest in CRISPR-Cas and other bacterial immune systems, and using kinetic analysis to guide cryo-EM data analysis. After ~4.5 enjoyable and productive years in Texas, he moved to the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) to establish his group. Outside of the lab he enjoys cycling (at a very amateur level) and playing live music, but really enjoys discussing the many merits of structure visualisation in ChimeraX most of all.
Kathrin Froschauer, Ph.D.
Lab Manager
Kathrin joined the Bravo lab on day 1 its existence, in July 2024. Prior to ISTA, she completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Graz, Austria and her PhD at the University of Würzburg, Germany. During her Ph.D., Kathrin worked on the identification and characterization of small proteins in a foodborne bacterial pathogen. In her spare time, Kathrin enjoys playing volleyball, enjoying nature, and eating lots of fruit.
Balwina (Bel) Koopal, Ph.D.
Postdoc
Bel also joined the Bravo lab in July 2024 after completing her Ph.D. and a brief postdoc with Daan Swarts at Wageningen University, where she characterised the SPARTA bacterial immune system. Outside of the lab, you can find her eagerly awaiting the 2026 Eurovision song contest, taking place right here in Vienna!
Vojtech (Vojta) Orel
Ph.D. Student
Before joining ISTA as a PhD student in September 2024, Vojtech worked on a small luciferase enzyme using pre-steady state kinetics (Loschmidt Laboratories, Prof. Zbynek Prokop, Brno, Czech Republic). He is interested in using transient kinetics, cryo-EM and single molecule approaches to elucidate mecahnisms of bacterial defense systems. Besides the lab, Vojtech is always up for a hike in the mountains or for a bike ride along the Danube.
Vanessa Scheffenacker
Ph.D. Student
Vanessa always knew she wanted to be a biologist, and her determination led her to complete her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biotechnology at the FH in Tulln, Austria. She loves all things molecular and microbiology, especially visualizing how things work on the smaller scale. In her free time Vanessa coaches & plays flag football and passionately listens to metalcore and podcasts about white collar crime.
Vera Kukushkina
Intern
Vera is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Camerino, Italy, since 2023. Before joining the lab, Vera worked on the NCoR complex and SETD5 in Carrie Bernecky’s group at ISTA, and now is interested in the structural and biochemical mechanisms of protein function. Outside the lab, Vera like doing sports such as boxing, squash, and bouldering.
Falcon
Lab mascot
Falcon has unwittingly become the lab mascot. He enjoys sleeping and trying to eat plastic.
Bravo Lab 