Find Academic Supervisors

Shaul Pollak is an Assistant Professor at the Division of Microbial Ecology within the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science at the University of Vienna. His research focuses on bacterial interactions in ecosystems, particularly their roles in plant pathogen protection and carbon cycling across soil and marine environments. He leads a research group investigating how microbial processes scale from genetic mechanisms to planetary biogeochemical cycles. His primary research interests include microbial community assembly, bacterial metabolism of complex biopolymers, and evolutionary genomics of marine cyanobacteria. Current projects leverage genomic dark matter to predict soil carbon fluxes, examine plant-bacteria interactions under environmental change, and explore the diversity of Prochlorococcus marinus. His interdisciplinary approach integrates genomics, high-throughput experiments, and machine learning to bridge ecological and evolutionary theory. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals consistent themes in microbial community dynamics, with emphasis on polysaccharide degradation mechanisms, phage-bacteria interactions, and genomic predictors of bacterial metabolic functions. His work demonstrates how bacterial trade-offs and cross-feeding structures shape ecosystem processes from ocean biogeochemistry to human gut microbiome organization. Dr. Pollak actively recruits PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through university stipend programs, with current group members including Thomas Gaehtgens, Gerhard Gruber, Jyothsna Pujar, Qi Qi, Lior Shachar, Marco Sing, and Joana Valèrio. His laboratory maintains active collaborations across soil and marine microbial ecology projects, with research infrastructure supported by University of Vienna resources and external funding.

• Microbial Ecology
• Bacterial Interactions
• Carbon Cycling
• +3 more

Stephan Glatzel is a Professor at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy , University of Vienna , affiliated with the Department of Geography and Regional Research . He leads multiple active research projects including Austrian Moor Restoration (2024-2033), MOIST (2024-2025), and Biodiversity Conservation in Austrian Peatlands (2022-2026). Key research areas: Peatland Ecology, Methane Cycling, Ecohydrology, Land Use Impacts SDG contributions: Climate Action (SDG13), Life on Land (SDG15) His recent publications focus on: Land use effects on peat degradation (Soil Use and Management, 2025) Asgard archaea in saline sediments (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2025) Ecohydrology of peatlands in Eswatini (Wetlands Ecology and Management, 2025) Research collaborations span Austria and international partners in Eswatini, with a strong emphasis on applied climate science . He actively engages in public outreach through lectures and media appearances, including topics like 'Die unterschätzte Rolle der Moore im Klimawandel' (2022) and 'Langfristige Studien im Schilf' (2019).

• Peatland Ecology
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Environmental Geography
• +3 more

Priv.Doz.DI Dr.nat.techn. Günter Langergraber is a Professor and Head of the Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He also serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure since 2025. With expertise in nature-based solutions , constructed wetlands , and resource-oriented sanitation systems , his work integrates modelling and simulation with practical applications for wastewater treatment and urban sustainability. Habilitation in Sanitary Engineering (2012), BOKU PhD in Natural Sciences (2001), BOKU His research focuses on developing advanced wastewater treatment technologies using constructed wetlands , biochar systems , and smart sensors . Key areas include urban water circularity , stormwater management , and climate resilience through nature-based infrastructure . He leads major EU-funded projects like ProCleanLakes and UniNEtZ , emphasizing the role of sustainable sanitation in achieving SDG 6 . Recent publications analyze: Design optimization of vertical flow wetlands using numerical models Implementation frameworks for circular cities via nature-based solutions Hydrological dynamics in Mediterranean and tropical wetland systems Soil water balance quantification via stable isotopes Scientific accolades include IWA Fellow (2014) and the IWA Project Innovation Award (2011) . He has supervised 478 publications and 56 projects, including EU Horizon 2020 initiatives and Austrian Science Fund (FWF) programs. As a keynote speaker at international conferences, he advocates for renaturalized urban water systems and decentralized sanitation . Langergraber contributes to technical guidelines (e.g., DWA-A 272) and policy reports for Austrian ministries. His work bridges academic research , industry collaboration , and public engagement through media appearances and training programs for wastewater plant operators.

• Sanitary Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Constructed Wetlands
• +7 more

Bano Mehdi-Schulz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), leading the 'Eco-hydrological and Land Use Modelling' group at the Institute of Hydrology and Water Management. She is a Substitute Member of the Ethics Committee. Her research focuses on ecohydrology, integrating hydrological and agricultural sciences to address water quality impacts from anthropogenic changes and future climate scenarios. Education: B.Sc. in Soil Science, M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering, and Ph.D. from McGill University's Department of Geography. Awards include the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (2009) and FWF Elise Richter Fellowship (2019). Her work bridges natural and social sciences, employing models to assess land use change and water resource management. Research Interests: Quantifying impacts of land use and climate change on water quality, ecohydrological modeling uncertainty, sustainable intensification strategies, and nitrate transport dynamics. Her team explores how farming practices and climate interact to influence water systems, with projects like ALUCSI (FWF-funded) and NitroClimAT (ACRP). Grants & Projects: Recent projects include ALUCSI (2019-2023), NitroClimAT (2018-2022), and UnLoadC3 (2014-2017). Current student advisees include researchers studying SWAT model uncertainty, sustainable intensification pathways, and water quality in East African basins. Labs/Teams: Leads the Eco-hydrological and Land Use Modelling group, collaborating with institutions like IIASA and SEC. Research emphasizes model coupling (e.g., SECLAND-SWAT) and satellite data integration for data-scarce regions.

• Ecohydrology
• Water Quality Management
• Climate Change Impacts
• +4 more

Christine Stumpp is a Professor at the Institute of Soil Physics and Rural Water Management , affiliated with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) . Her work integrates hydrology , soil physics , and stable isotope analysis to address critical issues in groundwater recharge , climate change impacts on water systems , and microplastic transport in soils .

• Hydrology
• Hydrogeology
• Soil Physics
• +5 more

Sabine Seidel is a full Professor at the Institute of Crop Production, Department of Agrarwissenschaften, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Her research integrates plant modeling, sustainable agriculture, and digital farming to enhance climate-resilient and resource-efficient crop systems. Her research interests focus on the development and testing of innovative, diverse (organic) cultivation systems, particularly mixed cropping and intercropping. She investigates ecosystem services such as yield and greenhouse gas emissions through measurements and modeling. Her work emphasizes the interactions between genotype, environment, and management (G×E×M), especially concerning water, nitrogen, and root dynamics. She also explores root growth responses to nutrient deficiency and drought stress, and leads initiatives in digital farming, including AI tools for pollinator detection and digital twin development in agriculture. Analysis of her recent publications (2024–2025) reveals a strong trend in interdisciplinary research combining field experiments with advanced modeling. Her work spans agroecosystem modeling, intercropping systems (especially wheat and faba bean), soil-crop interactions, and the application of AI and machine learning in agriculture. She frequently contributes to multi-model studies and calibration protocols, emphasizing model accuracy and validation. Her research is highly collaborative, involving teams across Germany and Austria. Root:shoot ratio under conservation tillage Phenotypic plasticity in winter wheat Resource acquisition in intercropping Digital crop growth simulation using GANs Soil carbon sequestration and organic matter dynamics She has been actively involved in the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence as a junior research group leader (2020–2025), focusing on optimizing plant mixtures through field experiments and modeling. Prior to this, she conducted postdoctoral research on subsoil management at the University of Bonn. Her work bridges ecology, plant science, soil science, and digital technologies. She earned her doctorate on plant modeling and irrigation from the Technical University of Dresden and studied agricultural sciences at the Technical University of Munich. She is based in Vienna and maintains an active presence in knowledge transfer, with media contributions in print and online outlets discussing sustainable farming practices.

• Organic Farming
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Crop Production
• +13 more

Andreas Richter is a Professor affiliated with the Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science and the Department of Analytical Chemistry within the Faculty of Chemistry. His research focuses on soil microbiology, climate change impacts, microbial ecology, and biogeochemical processes. Key interests include soil organic carbon dynamics, microbial responses to environmental stressors (e.g., drought, warming), and permafrost thaw effects on nitrogen cycles. He has led or co-led 12 projects, including studies on permafrost nitrogen cycling, Arctic microbial growth, and European polar research coordination. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and life on land. Richter’s recent work explores drought impacts on plant-soil carbon allocation, microbial community shifts under climate change, and metatranscriptomic techniques for quantifying soil microbiomes. His activities include keynote lectures and presentations on soil systems ecology and Arctic microbiology. His publications (285+ articles) span journals like Global Change Biology , Soil Biology and Biochemistry , and Molecular Ecology Resources , emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Professor Markku Kulmala, currently at the University of Helsinki's Division of Atmospheric Sciences, leads the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Atmospheric Composition and Climate Change. His research unit comprises 150 scientists, including 5 foreign professors, and he has coordinated major projects like EUCAARI and iLEAPS. Academy Professor (2004-2009, 2011) King Carl XVI Gustaf Visiting Professor (2009-2010) His research focuses on biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate interactions, atmospheric nucleation mechanisms, and climate-air quality relationships. He has authored over 600 publications with 15,000+ citations and an H-index of 61. Awarded extensively including: Fuchs Memorial Award (2010) Wilhelm Bjerkenes Medal (2007) ERC Advanced Grant (2009-2013) Honorary Doctorates from Stockholm and Tartu Universities He has supervised 48 PhDs, 9 of whom are now professors. His research group offers 60+ ECTS of postgraduate courses in collaboration with international institutions.

• Atmospheric sciences
• Physics
• Chemistry
• +4 more

Professor Ingrid Kögel-Knabner is a leading soil scientist at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) within the TUM School of Life Sciences. She holds the Chair of Soil Science and has been a Carl-von-Linde Senior Fellow at the TUM Institute of Advanced Study since 2011. Her career includes professorships at Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Bayreuth. Education: 1978–1983: Studies in Geoecology at the University of Bayreuth 1983: Diploma in Geoecology 1987: PhD in Soil Science under Prof. Dr. W. Zech 1992: Habilitation in Soil Science (Topic: Forest Soil Organic Matter) Research Interests: Her work focuses on soil organic matter dynamics, global carbon cycles, and sustainable land use. She employs advanced techniques like 13C NMR spectroscopy and nanoSIMS to study soil-mineral interactions. Key areas include soil carbon sequestration, rhizosphere functions, and biogeochemical processes in paddy soils. Grants & Projects: Coordinator of EU projects on pollutant transport and biodegradation (1994–2002) DFG Priority Programmes on soil carbon (SPP 1090) and biogeochemical interfaces (SPP 1315) BonaRes Centre for Soil Research (2016–2024) Awards: German Environment Award (2019) Bavarian Maximilian Order (2018) Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate, 2015–2019) Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams in soil science, collaborating with institutions like UFZ Halle, ZALF Müncheberg, and the European Geosciences Union.

• Soil Science
• Global Carbon Cycle
• Soil Organic Matter
• +7 more

Reinhard Neugschwandtner is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Agronomy , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna . His research focuses on sustainable crop production, soil science, and precision agriculture in Pannonian climates. Key projects: Agri-photovoltaic systems, digitalization in agriculture, drought-tolerant legumes, autonomous robotics in crop technology Leadership roles: Project leader in 8+ research initiatives since 2014 Research Interests : Dr. Neugschwandtner specializes in: Soil health and earthworm ecology under different tillage systems Nitrogen dynamics in legume-cereal intercropping systems Digital tools for canopy parameter estimation and precision farming Life cycle assessment of agricultural practices Climate-smart crop management strategies Scientific Awards : Awardee of five prestigious honors including: Kardinal-Innitzer-Förderungspreis (2017) Klaus Fischer Innovationspreis für Technik und Umwelt (2016) Walter-Kubiena-Preis (2008) BISi Award (2003) Publications & Presentations : Over 171 publications and 102 presentations focusing on: Long-term tillage experiments Winter crop adaptation Intercropping efficiency Digital agriculture tools Soil nutrient dynamics

• Agronomy
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Crop Production
• +5 more

Andrea Watzinger is a Senior Scientist at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna , affiliated with the Institute of Soil Research under the Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences. With a habilitation in soil ecology (2015), she leads multidisciplinary projects on stable isotope applications for understanding biogeochemical processes in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Education : PhD in 2000 (BOKU), Erasmus Fellowship (1996-1997, Oxford Brookes University), MSc in Biology/Ecology (1999, University of Salzburg) Research Focus : Her work integrates stable isotope techniques to trace nutrient fate in soils, assess climate change impacts on agroecosystems, develop biochar-based remediation technologies, and quantify urban carbon footprints . Recent studies examine drought effects on forest carbon dynamics, microbial processes in contaminated soils, and drone-based gas monitoring systems. Scientific Contributions : Key projects include the Vienna Urban Carbon Laboratory (2021-2025), ISO-2-DRONE (2022), and Heavy Metal City-Zen (2019-2021). Her publications span groundwater remediation, isotope ecology, and sustainable soil management. Awards : Wissenschaftspreis Land Niederösterreich (2015), Förderpreis Wien (2004), Stiftung 120 Jahre BOKU (2002), Wissenschaftsagentur Salzburg (2000) Collaborative Networks : She collaborates with the Austrian Institute of Technology , European Geosciences Union , and Stable Isotope Network Austria , supervising interdisciplinary teams in hydrology, microbial ecology, and environmental engineering. Her outreach includes citizen science initiatives like Heavy Metal City-Zen for urban soil safety.

• Soil Ecology
• Biogeochemistry
• Environmental Remediation
• +5 more

Robert Peticzka serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Regional Research at the University of Vienna, where he also directs geography studies. His research integrates physical geography, soil science, and geoecology with specialized focus on loess regions of Lower Austria. His primary research domains include: Loess-paleosol stratigraphy and quaternary landscape evolution Soil hydrology and microdialysis techniques in dry soils Geoarchaeological investigations of anthropogenic landforms Peatland carbon cycling and root exudate dynamics Environmental monitoring in urban and agricultural settings Recent publications reveal methodological innovation in soil solution analysis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction, with strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches combining geological, archaeological, and hydrological perspectives. His work frequently examines human-environment interactions in Central European landscapes. Professor Peticzka supervises bachelor and master students through dedicated preparatory seminars while teaching core courses in soil geography, geoecology, and field methods. He maintains active affiliation with the Physiogeographical Laboratory (http://www.univie.ac.at/physiogeographisches_labor/), conducting field research in the Vienna Basin and Lower Austrian loess regions.

• Physical Geography
• Soil Geography
• Geoecology
• +5 more

J. S. Sinninghe Damsté is a Professor of Organic Geochemistry at Utrecht University and a Senior Scientist at the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. His research bridges biology, geology, and chemistry, focusing on microbial ecology, paleoclimate proxies, and lipid biomarkers. He pioneered techniques like the TEX86 sea surface temperature proxy and MAT index for continental paleothermometry. Education: PhD in Organic Geochemistry from TU Delft (1988), specializing in organically-bound sulfur in the geosphere. Key roles include department headships at NIOZ and leadership in major grants like ERC Advanced Research Grants (2008, 2016) and Dutch Gravitation Awards (2013). Research highlights include discovering archaeal nitrification, tetraether/ladderane lipids, and biomarkers for Thaumarchaeota. His work has transformed understanding of oceanic nitrogen cycles and diatom evolution. Awards include the Heineken Prize (2014) and Treibs Medal (2005). Advising: Supervised PhD students such as Wuchter C., Abbas B., and Witkowski C.R., contributing to studies on archaeal nitrification and paleoclimatic CO2 trends. Grants include €28M for the Netherlands Earth System Science Centre. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry group at NIOZ, integrating lipidomics with environmental and evolutionary studies.

• Organic Geochemistry
• Biomarker Proxy Development
• Paleoclimatology
• +6 more

Franz Zehetner is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Soil Research , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. His career spans over 15 years at the same institution, advancing from Postdoctoral Research Fellow to his current role. He holds a PhD in Soil Science from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Soil Science from BOKU Vienna. Research Focus : Zehetner specializes in soil development across volcanic chronosequences, nutrient cycling, microbial ecology, and environmental impacts of land use. His work integrates field studies in the Galápagos Islands, Taiwan, and Austria with laboratory experiments on soil contaminants and biochar applications. Soil evolution in Galápagos (climate, age, and anthropogenic drivers) Heavy metal behavior in agricultural and volcanic soils Carbon dynamics in extreme events and disturbed ecosystems Phosphorus speciation and fertilizer recycling Soil microbial community responses to climate change Scientific Awards include the Manfred Schwanninger Teaching Award (2021), Best Paper Award in the Journal of Environmental Quality (2016), and multiple journal recognitions for article downloads and impact. Grants & Collaborations reflect his leadership in Austria-Taiwan joint seminars and interdisciplinary projects on climate change. He has supervised over 130 lectures and presentations, emphasizing knowledge transfer to society through media and public engagement.

• Soil Science
• Geochemistry
• Environmental Research
• +7 more

Stephan M. Krämer is a Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Geosciences at the University of Vienna. He also serves as Vice Director of Studies in Environmental Geosciences and Vice Director of the Doctoral School VDS-MES within the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science. His research focuses on biogeochemical processes at the interface of living and non-living materials, including pollutant transport, nutrient dynamics, and mineral weathering. His team employs advanced techniques like non-traditional stable isotope geochemistry and synchrotron spectroscopy to study molecular-scale interactions. Key research areas include environmental DNA (eDNA) preservation mechanisms, mineral-nucleic acid interactions, and pollutant behavior in soils and sediments. The group collaborates with anthropologists through the MINERVA platform to explore ancient DNA (aDNA) preservation in mineral matrices. Recent projects investigate copper mobilization via methanobactin and the redox reactivity of asbestos minerals. Group members include Anita Brijit, Aliz Szekeres, and Dr. Wenhao Wang. Current initiatives address maximizing aDNA recovery from sediments and understanding microbiome-driven planetary health through the Cluster of Excellence.

• Environmental Biogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• Surface Chemistry
• +4 more