Andreas Kappler

Prof. Dr. Andreas Kappler is a Professor of Geomicrobiology at the University of Tübingen's Applied Geosciences department. He leads the Geomikrobiologie workgroup and holds an honorary professorship at Aarhus University. His research focuses on microbial interactions with iron, sulfur, and carbon cycles in environments ranging from permafrost thaw zones to ancient ocean analogs and extraterrestrial settings like Enceladus.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology (2000, University of Konstanz)
• Diploma in Chemistry (1997, University of Konstanz)
• Postdoctoral work at Caltech (USA), EAWAG/ETH Zurich (Switzerland), and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Research Interests:

His work explores microbial-driven mineral formation (e.g., pyrite, siderite), iron and sulfur biogeochemistry, permafrost thaw impacts on greenhouse gases, and ancient ocean geochemistry. He investigates how microbial processes shape Earth's element cycles and potential biosignatures for astrobiology.

Key Contributions:

Recent studies include iron-carbon interactions in thawing permafrost, nitrate-reducing Fe-oxidizing microbes, and microbial mineralization pathways under Enceladus-like conditions. His ERC-funded research examines Fe-oxidizing bacterial communities in modern/ancient systems.

Awards & Recognition:

• Terry Beveridge Award (2012)
• ERC Starting Grant (2012)
• Fellow of the American Society of Microbiology
• Member of Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen

Grants & Advising:

Recipient of multiple grants including the prestigious ERC Starting Grant. Advises on microbial processes in extreme environments and collaborates internationally on astrobiology and climate change projects.

Labs/Teams:

Leads the Geomikrobiologie group at University of Tübingen, specializing in biogeochemical process analysis using state-of-the-art microscopy and geochemical techniques.