Kathrin Rousk

Kathrin Rousk is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, specialized in Terrestrial Ecology. Her research focuses on nitrogen fixation in moss-cyanobacteria associations, particularly in boreal forests and subarctic tundra ecosystems.

Her academic journey includes a PhD in Forest Ecology from Bangor University (2013) and an MSc in Ecology from Marburg University (2009). She has held various academic positions at UCPH since 2016, including Tenure-Track Assistant Professor (2019-2023) and current Associate Professor (2023-).

• Research Interests:
  • Ecology of nitrogen-limited ecosystems
  • Symbiosis between mosses and cyanobacteria
  • Biogeochemical cycling in pristine environments
  • Climate change impacts on tundra and boreal forests
  • Microbial processes in ecological systems

Kathrin's recent publications highlight trends in nitrogen fixation dynamics across diverse ecosystems, including tropical montane cloud forests and subarctic tundra. Her work explores how environmental factors like light, temperature, and nutrient availability influence these symbiotic relationships.

• Scientific Awards:
  • ERC Starting Grant (SYMBIONIX), 2021-2026
  • Independent Research Fund Denmark (Dff) grant, 2025-2027
  • Selected for UCPH-Forward excellence program, 2023-2024

She supervises students across BSc, MSc, and PhD levels and contributes to academic service through editorial board memberships (Global Change Biology, European Journal of Soil Biology) and grant review panels (NSF, ERC, etc.). Current teaching includes courses on Plant Ecophysiology, Advanced Ecology, and Climate Change Biogeochemistry.