About
Hey there, I'm Abeni!
A Biologist/Scientist by heart, a team coordinator by profession, and a creative soul always in motion. Whether I'm unraveling the mysteries of the gut microbiome in burying beetles, orchestrating events and managing logistics with precision, or playing a beautiful tone on the piano, I thrive at the intersection of science, creativity and curiosity.
With a Masters in Biology from the RPTU in Kaiserslautern, Germany, I've explored several topics from burying beetles to leaf-cutting ants to microbial secrets of migratory birds at Wadden sea. But these days, you will find me organizing projects, working closely with scientists from the fields of computer science, mathematics, psychology and computational neuroscience, supporting them in their research and teaching activities, handling budgets and ensuring everything flows seamlessly in my role as a Team Assistant. In addition, I serve as the Office Head for the Vice President for Digitalisation and Sustainability, who is also the current President-Elect of TU Berlin.
Beyond work, I'm a pianist, singer, artist (I like to draw and paint), and an adventure seeker who loves travelling and capturing moments through photography.
I believe life is a balance of logic and creativity, planning and spontaneity, research and rhythm.
Let's connect! Whether it's about science, project management, or discovering the best travel spots in Germany (and Europe), I'm always up for a great conversation.
Team Assistant, Project Coordinator & Molecular Biologist
- Email: dsa.abeni@gmail.com
My undergraduate studies laid the foundation for my understanding of biological systems, evolutionary processes, and ecological interactions. With my interest for research, I further pursued a Master of Science in Zoology in India and a Masters of Biology in Germany. This degree deepened my expertise in Molecular Ecology, Microbiome Research and Species Interactions. My Master thesis was hands-on experience in genetic analysis, data visualization, and experimental research-giving me an edge in scientific research and computational biology. While science has been a key part of my life, my extracurricular experiences have shaped my ability to communicate, lead and adapt in diverse environments.
My goal is to support scientists in pursuing their ambitions by handling the behind-the-scenes work, a role I genuinely enjoy.
Resume
Professional Experience
Team Assistant
03.2025 - present
- Provide administrative and team coordination support for AI-driven researches in neuroscience, computational linguistics, and human-machine communication.
- Manage financial processing and budget administration for third-party funded AI research projects, ensuring compliance with institutional guidelines.
- Organize interdisciplinary meetings, workshops, and international conferences, facilitating collaboration among AI researchers, faculty, and industry partners.
- Utilize digital collaboration tools (MS Office, Zoom, WebEx, MS Project, SharePoint) to streamline research administration, scheduling, and communication.
Office Lead
09.2025 - 03.2026
Vice President's Office for Sustainability and Digitalisation, TU Berlin
- Support executive-level strategic planning in university-wide digitalization and sustainability.
- Facilitate inter-departmental alignment and information flow between leadership.
- Act as a key liaison for stakeholder engagement and participation, ensuring transparent communication between the Vice President’s office and the broader university community.
Administrative Coordinator
03.2024 - 07.2025
Referat Weltkirche
- Provide administrative and project coordination support within the World Church division.
- Conduct research on sustainability projects and their ecological impacts.
- Manage financial aspects of projects, including budgeting and accounting.
- Coordinate events and handle written communications.
Student Research Assistant (HiWi)
11.2022 - 02.2024
University of Freiburg
- Conducted behavioral studies on leaf-cutting ants to analyze aging processes.
- Maintained ant colonies and their symbiotic fungus gardens.
English and German Teacher
09.2020 - 07.2021
Pratibha International School
- Taught German grammar and language fundamentals to students in grades 5-8.
- Prepared students for language proficiency exams.
Projects
Choir Exchange Project (Jugendkantorei Eichstätt)
10.2025 - 11.2025
Eichstätt (Germany), Mumbai (India), Pune (India)
- Coordinated an international cultural exchange program.
- Organized logistics, travel arrangements, accommodations and event scheduling.
- Served as a cultural and linguistic bridge between German participants and Indian host organizations.
Exploring the Intriguing World of the Gut Microbiome in Burying Beetles
09.2022 - 05.2023
Freiburg, Germany
- Conducted metagenomic analysis of gut microbiomes across three beetle species and both sexes, explored their behavioral responses to mouse carcasses for nutritional insights and employed techniques such as dissection, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis and sequencing.
Intriguing Differences in Herbivory Pressure Between Ecological Habitats
07.2022 - 08.2022
Schneeweiderhof, Germany
- Analyzed herbivory variation in Birch trees across Woodland and Quarry habitats, focusing on the impact of tree diversity.
Impact of Migratory Birds on the Microbial Communities at the Wadden Sea
05.2022 - 06.2022
Sylt, Germany
- Conducted a comprehensive study on Wadden Sea microbial communities at two distinct sites, focusing on assessing their composition, diversity and ecological roles through DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis and sequencing techniques.
Voluntary Activities
Volunteer
Jul 2024 - Nov 2024
Green City e.V., Munich, Germany
- Promoting sustainable urban development and environmental conservation.
- Contribute to various initiatives focused on enhancing green spaces, promoting eco-friendly transportation, and raising environmental awareness in the community.
- Collaborate with local stakeholders to implement projects that make Munich a greener, more sustainable city.
Volunteer
May 2023 - Oct 2023
Lebenshilfe Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Support and assistance to individuals with disabilities.
English Teacher
May 2021 - Aug 2021
Ibtada (NGO), India
- Taught underprivileged girls English fundamentals, fostering practical usage and providing tailored support.
Youth Congress Participant
June 2019
Goethe Institute, Pune, India
- Led youth involvement in Pasch’s sustainable event, managing logistics, promotion, and engagement to encourage sustainable practices.
Umdenken Environmental Exhibition Participant
June 2018 - July 2018
Goethe Institute, Pune, India
- Joined a public environmental exhibition, aiding setup, interactive activities, engaging visitors, and promoting conservation awareness.
Education
Master of Science in Biology with specialization in Ecology
10.2021 - 02.2024
Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University (RPTU), Kaiserslautern
Thesis: Inherited or Acquired? Study of Microbiome Transmission in Nicrophorus vespillo and Nicrophorus vespilloides
Master of Science in Zoology
07.2019 - 04.2021
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Thesis: Computational analysis of Opsin 2 protein in Schistocerca gregaria
Bachelor of Science in Zoology
07.2016 - 04.2019
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Scholarships & Accolades
Albertus-Magnus- und Hildegardis-Verein Studienstiftung
06.2023 - 11.2023
Erzdioezese Freiburg
DAAD STIBET Stipendienstiftung Exzellenz-Stipendium
07.2023 - 12.2023
Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University (RPTU), Kaiserslautern
Certifications
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Training Course
02.2024
GMP Academy
Advanced Diploma in German Language
02.2021
University of Mumbai
Basic Techniques in Molecular Biology
08.2019
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Goethe-Certificate C1
04.2018
Goethe Institute, Pune
Grade 8 Piano Training
01.2015
Trinity College, London
Grade 7 Theory of Music
06.2014
Trinity College, London
Extracurricular Activities
Choir Director (English)
01.2026 - Present
St. Clemens Church, Berlin
Choir Member
07.2025 - 12.2025
St. Clemens Church, Berlin
Basics of Church Organ
07.2024 - 06.2025
BO Kirchenmusik, Eichstätt
Choir Member
03.2024 - 06.2024
Heilige Familie Chor, Eichstätt
Young Ambassador
08.2023 - 08.2024
DAAD German Academic Exchange Service
Musician
10.2022 - 02.2024
Lobpreisband, KHG Edith Stein, Freiburg
Member of the Organizing Committee
03.2023 - 06.2023
Vauban Sommerfest, Freiburg
Student Secretary of Foreign Ministry
08.2021 - 08.2022
KHG, Kaiserslautern
Youth President
06.2020 - 06.2021
St. Francis Xavier's Church, Pune, India
Skills
Portfolio
🌳 Plant Ecology and Herbivory in Contrasting Habitats
Fieldwork documentation at Schneeweiderhof, highlighting vegetation surveys and biodiversity assessment. This image represent the study of herbivory pressure on birch trees across woodland and quarry habitats, with a focus on how tree diversity shapes ecological interactions.
🏆 After-Work Cup — Team Spirit Wins
What began as a casual group chat idea turned into an unforgettable team victory. Playing purely for fun and good vibes, we competed against 17 teams and surprised ourselves by bringing the cup back to the lab — a reminder that with the right people and energy, great things happen naturally.
🌳 Plant Ecology and Herbivory in Contrasting Habitats
Fieldwork documentation at Schneeweiderhof, highlighting vegetation surveys and biodiversity assessment. This image represent the study of herbivory pressure on birch trees across woodland and quarry habitats, with a focus on how tree diversity shapes ecological interactions.
🪲 Exploring the Gut Microbiome of Burying Beetles
Field and laboratory documentation capturing the life cycle of burying beetles, including larvae feeding on mouse carcasses. These images reflect hands-on ecological research combining fieldwork, behavioral observation, and molecular techniques to uncover microbial adaptations linked to nutrition and reproduction.