Professional experience

Jun 2020-present: University of Hohenheim, Plant Ecology

Professor (Jun.-Prof.)

Nov 2017 – May 2020: University of Bayreuth, Plant Ecology

Assistant Professor (akademischer Rat a.Z.).

Nov 2016 – Oct 2017  Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience – Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity

Postdoctoral researcher in the MegaPast2Future project: Theoretical conceptualization and empirical validation regarding the ecological effects of large-bodied animals on ecosystem structure and dynamics.

Feb 2013 – Oct 2016: Research Associate, Chair of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth.

Organization and implementation of the AD FONTES-project: Analyzing Dynamics of Forest Catchment Output and Novel Climatic Trends indicated by the Ecology of Springs.

 

Education

Feb 2013 – Aug 2016: PhD in Ecology, Chair of Biogeography, University of Bayreuth

Thesis title: “Springs as models to unveil ecological drivers and responses: Perspectives for ecosystem theory from neglected ecosystems”.

Oct 2010 – Apr 2013: M.Sc. Biodiversity and Ecology, University of Bayreuth

Thesis title: “Drivers of plant facilitation in the afro-alpine zone of Mt. Kilimanjaro – spatial and temporal variation of micro-climate, vegetation structure, plant water relations and ecosystem CO2 fluxes and their interaction”.

Oct 2005 – Mar 2010: Dipl. Ing. (FH) Environmental Engineering, University of Applied Science Weihenstephan-Triesdorf

Thesis title: “The biocoenosis of the Northern Limestone Alps with special reference to the foraging ecology of the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (LINNAEUS, 1758)”.

 

Awards

2017

Dissertation award by the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GfÖ).

2016

Bernd-Rendel Prize by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Early Career Research Recognition by the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER).

 

Public outreach

Press media

Anthropocene, 09.05.2018: “In today’s dung beetles, echoes of a lot world – and hints of a new one” (written by Brandon Keim).

Nürnberger Zeitung, 30.01.2018: “Der Saure Regen ist nicht verschwunden”.

ubtaktuell 4-2018: “Preisgekrönt: Bayreuther Ökologe untersucht Langzeitfolgen des ‚Sauren Regens’”.

Nürnberger Nachrichten, 19.09.2016: “Saurer Regen steckt noch im Fichtelgebirge”.

Frankenpost, 29.08.2016.

Märkische Oderzeitung, 27.08.2016: “Das Gift wirkt weiter: Forscher untersuchen die Langzeitfolgen des sauren Regens”.

Nordbayerischer Kurier, 25.08.2016: “Sauerer Regen: Fichtelgebirge leidet weiter”.

Nordbayerische Nachrichten, 18.09.2016: “Saurer Regen steck noch im Fichtelgebirge”.

ubtaktuell 2-2016: “Wie der ‘saure Regen’ neue ökologische Probleme verschärft”.

Blogposts

Ecography, 02.09.2016: “Advantages of beeing a dark beetle – Insect colouration and thermoregulation”.

Journal of Avian Biology, 07.10.2014: “Prey availability affect the global distribution of the Golden Eagle”.

Environmental education

Content-related co-shaping of the “Isar-Natur-Erlebnisweg” (nature educational trail) in Krün.