Dr Darius Koester

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

The skin is our boundary between us and the world and receives continuously mechanical signals from the outside, e.g. when being pushed around in a crowded tube or when feeling the calming touch of a friend’s hug. Similarly, the cells in our body and in other organisms are exposed to mechanical signals from their environment (other cells and tissue). Our research aims to understand, how cells detect these mechanical signals and how this affects their program and fate during development (e.g. to form well-defined organs and tissue). To achieve this aim, we design simplified, minimal systems and experiments on cells under controlled mechanical conditions.

Scientific Inspiration

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). He was one of the last great polymaths with many talents and playing an important role in fields such as geography, biology, natural sciences and meteorology. His holistic understanding of the complex and interwoven mechanisms governing our planet earth were path-breaking for his time and he was the first person to describe human-induced climate change based on observations during his travels. In addition to this, he was an excellent science communicator and spent a good effort to further science and higher education in Berlin, Germany.

Research Groups

Koster Lab

Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology (CMCB)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Collaborative, supportive, creative.

Provision of Training

Depending on the technique, we find the best person to train you, which is either me another lab member, or a colleague in the University, with the aim to make you independent and to allow you to develop your own methods from there on.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be up to date what my students are doing by regular meetings and will set out with you goals on a monthly basis. However, knowing the ups and downs of research, I will be there for advice and guidance if things don’t work out as planned and to come up with alternative plans.

Communication

I am regularly in the lab and have an open-door policy, i.e., you can come and talk to me any time. I do focus sending of my emails during core hours, but it can happen that I send some ideas or interesting information at other times. The team has a WhatsApp group to coordinate lab related issues or organise some fun activities.

One to one meetings are either done virtually via Teams or face to face, whatever is preferred.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

The meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

Project Details

Dr Darius Koester is supervising no projects this year.