Konstanze Hild

Konstanze Hild is a PhD student at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ, affiliated with the Department of Applied Microbial Ecology. Her work is part of the Collaborative Research Center 1076 AquaDiva, focusing on bacteriophages in terrestrial systems.

Education:

• Bachelor of Biology (2015-2018) and Master of Biology (2018-2020) from the University of Leipzig
• Master thesis: 'Investigation of the rubella virus induced interferon response in an in vitro model of human endothelial cell angiogenesis'
• Bachelor thesis: 'Quantifying Phage Transport through Porous Media by Molecular, Physical and Biological Methods'

Research Focus: Konstanze investigates the ecological role of bacteriophages (phages) in terrestrial environments. Her PhD project addresses:

• Phage-mediated nutrient cycling through bacterial lysis
• Selective viral transport mechanisms in soil systems
• Application of marine tracer phages to study nanoparticulate transport

Scientific Context: Her work builds on the AquaDiva project's goal to understand subsurface biodiversity and ecosystem function. While phage roles in marine systems are well-established, her research pioneers their study in soil environments, particularly their influence on nutrient dynamics and microbial community structure.

Contact: konstanze.hild@ufz.de