Sophia Kleine Holthaus
About Sophia Kleine Holthaus
Sophia Kleine Holthaus serves as the Preclinical Development Lead at MeiraGTx, where she has worked since 2020. She possesses a strong academic and professional background in ocular and brain-directed gene therapy, with experience in both industry and research settings.
Work at MeiraGTx
Sophia Kleine Holthaus has been serving as the Preclinical Development Lead at MeiraGTx since 2020. In this role, she focuses on advancing preclinical research into clinical applications, particularly in the field of gene therapy. Her responsibilities include overseeing the development of preclinical strategies and ensuring that research aligns with clinical objectives. Her experience in both academic and industry settings contributes to her effectiveness in this position.
Education and Expertise
Sophia Kleine Holthaus holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, completed between 2005 and 2008. She furthered her education with a Master of Science (MSc) in Neurosciences from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam from 2009 to 2011. In addition, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Psychology from London Metropolitan University in 2009. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Ocular Gene Therapy at University College London (UCL) from 2012 to 2016, where she focused on ocular and CNS-directed gene therapy.
Background
Sophia Kleine Holthaus has a diverse professional background that spans both academia and industry. She worked as a Research Associate at UCL in the Institute of Ophthalmology from 2016 to 2019, where she specialized in ocular gene therapy. Prior to her current role, she held positions at Ally Therapeutics, Inc. as a Senior Scientist/Ocular Lead and as a Consultant. She also served as the Early Career Representative for the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy from 2017 to 2019.
Achievements
Sophia Kleine Holthaus has demonstrated a commitment to advancing gene therapy through her various roles. She has proactively initiated collaborations and fostered cross-disciplinary teamwork throughout her career. Her expertise in ocular and brain-directed gene therapy has positioned her as a knowledgeable leader in preclinical development. Her work aims to translate preclinical research into viable clinical treatments, contributing to advancements in the field.