Michaela HauView profile
Professor
Prof. Dr. Michaela Hau is a leading researcher in evolutionary physiology and endocrinology at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Seewiesen. Her work focuses on understanding how animals adapt physiologically to environmental challenges, particularly through studies on birds. She leads a research group investigating reproductive endocrinology, circadian systems, and stress hormone dynamics. Her team's recent work, including a 2022 study on great tits' glucocorticoid plasticity in response to temperature fluctuations, highlights her expertise in climate change biology and physiological adaptation. Michaela Hau's research integrates field studies with experimental approaches, emphasizing the interplay between ecology, evolution, and physiology. She has collaborated with institutions like the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences on innovative data visualization projects, such as student Evi Hoang's interactive website interpreting stress hormone data. Her research has been published in high-impact journals, addressing topics like hormone-environment interactions and the fitness consequences of reproductive strategies. Her advisory role includes mentoring PhD students like Marlene Oefele, who won a poster prize at an international symposium. While no personal awards are explicitly listed, her contributions have advanced understanding of avian endocrinology and climate resilience mechanisms.








