Microphysics Professors and Supervisors

Anna LuebkeView profile

Researcher

Leipzig UniversityGermany

Anna Luebke serves as a Research Associate at the Leipzig Institute of Meteorology, University of Leipzig since June 2020. Her professional trajectory includes research roles at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (Hamburg, 2017-2019), Forschungszentrum Jülich (Jülich, 2014-2015), and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado (Boulder, 2008-2013), demonstrating extensive international collaboration in atmospheric sciences. Her academic foundation comprises a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Colorado (2008-2014), with doctoral research examining ice water content relationships in cirrus clouds through in situ measurements. She further holds an M.Sc. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (2008-2011) and a B.A. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology (2004-2008), both from the University of Colorado. Dr. Luebke's research specialization centers on cloud microphysics and atmospheric radiation, with significant contributions to Earth observation missions like EarthCARE. Her expertise bridges stratospheric processes, satellite data interpretation, and climate modeling, utilizing both experimental aircraft measurements and remote sensing technologies to advance understanding of atmospheric dynamics. Current work focuses on radiation studies within the Leipzig Institute of Meteorology's atmospheric research framework. She maintains active involvement in European collaborative projects including the German EarthCARE Project Office and stratospheric research initiatives at Jülich, reflecting a career dedicated to interdisciplinary climate science across German and American research institutions.

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Mira PöhlkerView profile

Professor

Leipzig UniversityGermany

Mira Pöhlker serves as a University Professor at Leipzig University with a joint appointment in Experimental Aerosol and Cloud Microphysics at TROPOS (Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research), currently on leave. Her office is located at Permoserstr. 15, Room 202, 04318 Leipzig, with direct contact via phone (+49 341 2717-743). Her research spans Atmospheric Science and Climate Physics , focusing on aerosol-cloud interactions, cloud microphysical processes, and anthropogenic impacts on atmospheric composition. Key investigations include pandemic-related air quality changes, convective cloud dynamics using satellite data, and marine cloud responses to updraft variations. This work combines aircraft measurements, satellite remote sensing, and field observations to quantify climate-relevant processes. Professor Pöhlker's recent publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration across European and transatlantic research networks. Her work frequently appears in high-impact journals like Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics and the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society , addressing urgent climate and air quality questions through empirical measurement campaigns. She maintains an active research partnership with TROPOS, leveraging their expertise in tropospheric processes. Current projects emphasize real-world atmospheric observations during exceptional events (e.g., pandemic lockdowns) and fundamental cloud physics mechanisms affecting climate models.

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Zamin A. KanjiView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Zamin A. Kanji is a Permanently Appointed (Tenured) Group Leader/Senior Scientist in Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He has held academic positions at ETH Zurich since 2009, progressing from Post-Doctoral Fellow to his current tenured leadership role. His educational background includes: PhD in Chemistry from University of Toronto (2005-2009) MSc in Chemistry from University of Toronto (2003-2005) BSc. Hons. Specialist in Chemistry from Queen's University (1999-2003) Dr. Kanji's research focuses on ice nucleation processes, aerosol-cloud interactions, and atmospheric particle characterization. His work bridges laboratory experiments with field measurements to understand how microscopic particles influence cloud formation across diverse environments from Arctic regions to urban settings. He employs advanced instrumentation including custom-built ice nucleation chambers to characterize particle properties under controlled conditions. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on ice nucleation mechanisms across different particle types including mineral dusts, soot, and biological materials. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding how particle size, composition, and environmental conditions affect ice nucleation efficiency, with important implications for climate modeling and understanding cloud feedbacks in a changing climate. Dr. Kanji serves as the Swiss National Delegate to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics and is an elected member of the International Commission on Clouds and Precipitation. He also represents Switzerland on the International Civil Aviation Organization's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection. He leads multiple research projects funded primarily by the Swiss National Science Foundation, including investigations of ice nucleation in the Himalayas, aerosol-cloud interactions in mixed-phase clouds, and ice nucleating particles in Arctic marine environments.

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Robyn SchofieldView profile

Associate Professor

University of MelbourneAustralia

Dr. Robyn Schofield is an Associate Professor in Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Melbourne's School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean of Environment and Sustainability. As an atmospheric chemist and aerosol scientist, her research spans urban air quality, indoor airborne transmission, ozone processes, aerosols and climate interactions, and polar atmospheric chemistry. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Auckland (jointly with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research at Lauder, New Zealand), where she studied the vertical distribution of BrO using spectroscopic measurements in Antarctica. She completed postdoctoral work at NOAA's Chemical Sciences Division in Boulder, Colorado, and held research fellowships at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Potsdam, Germany, including a Humboldt Fellowship and a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship. Dr. Schofield's research interests focus on spectroscopic observations of trace gases, radiative transfer modeling, stratospheric ozone loss kinetics, tropical tropopause layer processes, microphysical modeling, coupled chemistry-climate modeling, urban air quality and health impacts, and airborne transmission of pathogens. Her work bridges fundamental atmospheric science with practical applications for environmental and public health. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on air quality monitoring, aerosol characterization, climate impacts, and airborne disease transmission. The research spans diverse geographical locations from urban Australia to polar regions and the Great Barrier Reef, employing advanced measurement techniques including lidar, MAX-DOAS, drone-based systems, and sophisticated modeling approaches. Marie Curie Fellowship (2007) Fellow of the Humboldt Foundation (2006) Dr. Schofield has supervised 9 PhD completions and currently mentors one doctoral student. She manages the AIRBOX facility, a collaborative research infrastructure for atmospheric studies, and serves as an Associate Investigator for the Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes. She chairs the Australian Meteorology and Oceanographic Society's expert group on Atmospheric and Oceanic Composition and leads multiple active research projects including the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Building Systems Against Airborne Infection Transmission. Her laboratory and research team work spans multiple platforms including research vessels (RSV Aurora Australis, RV Investigator), field campaigns across polar and tropical regions, and advanced atmospheric monitoring facilities. Current projects focus on airborne infection control, satellite impacts on ozone, Southern Ocean aerosols, methane remote sensing, and rock art monitoring in Murujuga.

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Patric SeifertView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Dr. Patric Seifert is a Scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, where he has been working since 2010. He is affiliated with the Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes department and leads the Ground-Based Remote Sensing group. His work focuses on atmospheric remote sensing, particularly using the LACROS instrument suite for aerosol and cloud observations. He also maintains a strong connection with the University of Leipzig, where he earned his PhD and currently teaches courses on cloud radar and remote sensing to master's students. PhD in Meteorology from University of Leipzig (2010) Diploma in Meteorology from University of Leipzig (2006) Student of Meteorology at University of Leipzig (2000-2006) Dr. Seifert's research centers on understanding aerosol-cloud interactions, particularly how aerosols influence ice formation processes in the atmosphere. His work involves extensive use of ground-based remote sensing instruments, including the LACROS suite, to observe cloud and aerosol properties. He investigates how aerosol particles affect numerical weather forecast models and develops methods to derive continuous datasets of aerosol and cloud microphysical properties through the Cloudnet data processing scheme. His current research spans multiple international projects across diverse geographical locations including the Arctic, Southern Ocean, Cyprus, and Antarctica. Analysis of Dr. Seifert's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cloud microphysics, particularly mixed-phase and ice clouds. His work frequently employs advanced remote sensing techniques including polarimetric radar and lidar to study ice nucleation processes, particle shape distribution, and aerosol-cloud interactions. A significant portion of his recent research relates to the MOSAiC expedition in the Arctic, examining cloud life cycles and the impact of wildfire smoke on cirrus formation. His publications also highlight innovative approaches to cloud seeding experiments using UAVs and the development of new methods for analyzing cloud radar data. Member of Deutsche Meteorologische Gesellschaft (DMG) since 2006 Ordinary Member of the DFG Transregio programme Arctic Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and Surface Processes and Feedback Mechanisms (AC3) since 2021 Dr. Seifert actively collaborates on numerous international research projects including ACTRIS/Cloudnet, DACAPO-PESO (focusing on the Southern Ocean), PICNICC (examining hemispheric cloud contrasts), SPOMC (polarimetric observations of clouds), COALA (Antarctic observations), ATMO-ACCESS, ACTRIS-D, and EXCELSIOR. His work often involves mentoring students and conducting outreach activities to demonstrate TROPOS's contributions to understanding aerosol-cloud interactions and career opportunities in atmospheric sciences. He has been instrumental in operating and extending the LACROS instrument suite for various field campaigns around the world. Dr. Seifert leads the Ground-Based Remote Sensing group at TROPOS, which operates the LACROS (Leipzig Aerosol and Cloud Remote Observations System) infrastructure. This mobile observation platform has been deployed in diverse environments including Punta Arenas, Chile for the DACAPO-PESO campaign, Cyprus for multiple projects, and Antarctica for the COALA campaign. His team collaborates with international partners across Europe, New Zealand, and the Americas to study atmospheric processes in different climatic regions, with particular emphasis on aerosol-cloud interactions in pristine environments.

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Stephan MertesView profile

Research Fellow

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Stephan Mertes is a Research Fellow at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, working within the Department of Atmospheric Microphysics and the Clouds working group. His research focuses on aerosol-cloud interactions, droplet and ice particle formation in real atmospheric clouds, and cloud processing of aerosol particles using airborne and ground-based measurement techniques. He holds a Doctorate in Physics from the University of Bonn (1992), preceded by diploma studies in Physics there (1981-1988). Prior academic roles include Research Associate (1991-1992) and Research Assistant (1988-1991) at the Institute of Atmospheric Chemistry, Research Centre Jülich. Mertes' research centers on atmospheric microphysics , investigating how aerosols influence cloud formation and evolution through complex physical processes. His work combines field measurements with laboratory analysis to understand climate-relevant interactions between particulate matter and cloud systems, emphasizing real-world atmospheric conditions over theoretical models. His scientific contributions have been recognized through: Excellence in Refereeing award from Geophysical Research Letters EREA best paper award 2018 for ML-CIRRUS research Currently leading projects including (AC)³ [ACLOUD, HALO-AC3], HALO [CIRRUS-HL], and PARAMOUNT, Mertes has maintained continuous research activity since 1992 with 20+ completed projects spanning EU, DFG, and BMBF funding. As a full member of Collaborative Research Center (AC)³ since 2016, he contributes to Germany's coordinated atmospheric research infrastructure while mentoring through TROPOS' field measurement programs.

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Albert AnsmannView profile

Associate Professor

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Dr. Albert Ansmann is a distinguished Associate Professor at the University of Leipzig and Head of the Ground-Based Remote Sensing Working Group at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany. His career spans over three decades dedicated to advancing atmospheric remote sensing technologies and understanding aerosol-cloud interactions. At TROPOS, he leads the Ground-based Remote Sensing Group within the Department of Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes. Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS): Head of Ground-Based Remote Sensing Working Group since 1992 University of Leipzig: Associate Professor since 2005, Private Lecturer since 1999 Max Planck Institute for Meteorology: PhD research (1984-1988) Research Center Geesthacht: Postdoctoral researcher (1989-1992) Dr. Ansmann completed his Meteorology studies at the University of Hamburg (1977-1984) and earned his PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg (1984-1988). He achieved his Habilitation at the University of Leipzig in 1999, which qualified him as a university professor. His research focuses on developing lidar instruments and methodologies for investigating aerosols, clouds, and aerosol-cloud interactions, with particular emphasis on heterogeneous ice formation processes. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of mineral dust transport, Saharan aerosol long-range transport, and their impacts on cloud microphysics and climate. Dr. Ansmann's research integrates field campaigns across diverse geographical regions including Portugal, Morocco, Cape Verde, and the Arctic. The 15 most recent publications reveal a strong focus on Arctic atmospheric processes, wildfire smoke impacts on cirrus formation, mineral dust properties, and advanced lidar methodologies. His research increasingly addresses climate-relevant questions through international collaborations such as the MOSAiC expedition, SALTRACE, and BACCHUS projects, demonstrating a shift toward understanding the climate implications of aerosol-cloud interactions in polar regions. Inaba Prize (1994) for outstanding research on Raman lidar observation of the stratospheric Pinatubo aerosol layer American Geophysical Union Editor's Citation for Excellence in Refereeing (2005, 2010) Dr. Ansmann has been actively involved in mentoring doctoral students through seminars at TROPOS and lectures on active remote sensing at the University of Leipzig. His research has been supported through numerous international projects including SALTRACE, BACCHUS, and participation in major field campaigns across Europe, Africa, and polar regions. He has served on scientific steering committees, including the EU BACCHUS Project (2013-2017), and as guest editor for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (2013-2015). The Ground-based Remote Sensing Group at TROPOS, which Dr. Ansmann leads, operates advanced lidar systems for atmospheric observations and participates in international networks like EARLINET. His team's work integrates ground-based, airborne, and satellite observations to address fundamental questions about aerosol-cloud interactions and their climate implications, with particular focus on polar regions through the MOSAiC expedition and related research.

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Holger BaarsView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Holger Baars serves as Team Leader for Lidar Applications at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, within the Department of Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes. His work focuses on advanced atmospheric observations using lidar technology and contributes significantly to international research infrastructures. His educational background includes a Diplomarbeit on continuous planetary-boundary-layer depth monitoring with lidar and a dissertation on aerosol profiling in the Amazon Basin. Research interests span atmospheric remote sensing, aerosol characterization, Earth observation missions (particularly EarthCARE and Aeolus), and climate-relevant atmospheric processes. His work integrates lidar observations with satellite data and atmospheric models to advance understanding of aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions. Baars actively supervises M.Sc. and B.Sc. students, with recent theses focusing on aerosol properties in Cabo Verde, Tajikistan, and Cyprus. He leads multiple international projects including EarthCARE DISC, Aeolus DISC, and EARLINET, and serves as speaker of the European Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) Council. His technical expertise covers Raman-Lidar, Polarization-Lidar, Wind-Lidar, and complementary atmospheric measurement systems. As a member of the Aeolus Science and Data Quality Group since 2019, he contributes to spaceborne lidar mission validation. His research has produced significant publications on wildfire smoke transport, stratospheric aerosol events, and lidar network development, demonstrating leadership in advancing global atmospheric observation capabilities.

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Sebastian BleyView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Sebastian Bley is a Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, where he works in the Department of Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes. He is currently involved in the Aeolus DISC (Data, Innovation, and Science Cluster) and CARDINAL (EarthCARE algorithm development) projects. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Leipzig and TROPOS (2013-2017), a Master of Science in Meteorology from the University of Leipzig (2009-2012), and a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of Leipzig (2006-2009). Prior to his current position, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the European Space Agency (ESA-ESRIN) in Italy (2018-2021), focusing on validation of Aeolus mission products. Bley's research centers on convective cloud life cycles using Meteosat-SEVIRI satellite data, optical and microphysical cloud property measurements through satellite and ground-based systems, synergistic analysis of passive and active satellite observations, and model evaluation of convective processes. His work bridges observational data with climate modeling to improve cloud representation in atmospheric simulations. His publication record reveals a concentrated focus on satellite remote sensing advancements, particularly in cloud and aerosol observation techniques, with significant contributions to the Aeolus wind lidar mission and Meteosat-based cloud property retrieval algorithms. Recent work emphasizes cross-validation between satellite and ground-based instruments for atmospheric process understanding. Bley contributes to major collaborative projects including HD(CP)2 (funded by BMBF) and teaches specialized content on "Doppler Wind Lidar in Space - Aeolus" within the University of Leipzig's Satellite Remote Sensing curriculum, demonstrating active engagement in both research innovation and academic knowledge transfer.

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Anja HünerbeinView profile

Researcher

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric ResearchGermany

Dr. Anja Hünerbein is a Researcher in the Department of Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, where she has been employed since 2011. Her work focuses on satellite remote sensing of clouds and their critical role in the Earth's radiation budget within the climate system. Her educational background includes: Doctorate in Meteorology (2006) from the Free University of Berlin Diploma in Meteorology (2002) from the Free University of Berlin Studies in Physics and Oceanography (1997-1998) at the University of Edinburgh Dr. Hünerbein's research centers on satellite-based observation of cloud microphysical and radiative properties, with emphasis on synergistic integration of passive and active measurement systems. She investigates three-dimensional cloud effects and develops advanced methodologies for cloud product retrieval, directly contributing to climate model refinement through improved representation of cloud-radiation interactions. She actively participates in major international projects including EarthCARE – CARDINAL (Atmospheric Products from Imager and Lidar, ESA), C3SAR (since 2024), and the DFG Research Unit subproject P4 "Satellite-based cloud remote sensing & 3D effects", which form the core funding framework for her research initiatives. Based in Room 108 (Building 23.5) at TROPOS, she maintains collaborative ties with global meteorological services and space agencies, building on prior research experience at the German Weather Service, Meteo France, and the Free University of Berlin's Institute of Space Sciences.

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Erik SwietlickiView profile

Professor

Lund UniversitySweden

Erik Swietlicki is a Professor of Physics at Lund University, specifically affiliated with Lund University of Technology (LTH). He serves as Principal Investigator at the Center for Aerosol Research (CAST) and NanoLund: Center for Nanoscience. His academic appointments include membership in the Center for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC) and several profile areas focusing on Aerosols, Nanoscience and semiconductor technology, Light and materials, and Nature-based future solutions. Dr. Swietlicki's research expertise spans atmospheric science with particular emphasis on aerosol-cloud-climate interactions. His work integrates extensive field measurements with sophisticated modeling approaches, notably through the ACTRESS modeling framework. His research portfolio addresses critical questions regarding how atmospheric particles influence climate systems, air quality, and human health. The profile indicates strong expertise in aerosol physics, climate science, and environmental monitoring. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a significant focus on black carbon aerosols, ice nucleation processes, and bioaerosols across diverse environments from Arctic regions to Southern Swedish forests. His research shows an increasing integration of health implications alongside climate effects, reflecting a holistic approach to atmospheric particulate matter research. His work frequently involves international collaborations and contributes to major climate research initiatives. Member Steering Board: Lund Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science (LINXS) (2016) Dr. Swietlicki actively supervises research and leads numerous significant projects including the MERGE SP: ARTofMELT Arctic Ocean icebreaker expedition, CEC Fellows program, and UFPMalmö project mapping ultrafine particles in Swedish urban areas. He plays a key role in the ACTRIS Sweden national research infrastructure for short-lived climate pollutants and has organized major events like the MERGE annual meeting 2024 and Swedish Climate Symposium 2024. His laboratory work centers around the Center for Aerosol Research (CAST) where advanced instrumentation is developed and deployed for atmospheric measurements. His research group maintains extensive international collaborations through projects like MERGE (Modeling the Regional and Global Earth system) and participates in global climate research networks addressing critical environmental challenges.

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