Anna Gorbushina

Prof. Dr. Anna Gorbushina holds a dual academic role as a Full Professor of Earth Sciences at Freie Universität Berlin and Head of Department IV “Materials and Environment” at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). Her research bridges geomicrobiology, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry, focusing on rock biofilms, microbial weathering, and genomics of extremophilic fungi. She has over 30 years of international experience, including roles at the University of Geneva and Oldenburg University’s Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM).

Education:

• 2006: Habilitation in Microbiology (Oldenburg University)
• 1992-1997: PhD in Mycology (Komarov Botanical Institute, Russia/ICBM, Germany)
• 1985-1991: Diplom in Biology/Biophysics (St. Petersburg State University)

Research interests emphasize microbial interactions with geologic materials, including subaerial biofilm models, biomineralization, and microbial contributions to soil formation. Her work spans environmental microbiology, astrobiology, and cultural heritage preservation. Recent studies involve porosity modeling in reactive rock-fluid interactions and isotopic sulfur mobilization during serpentinite subduction.

Awards include the Feodor-Lynen Fellowship (2008), DFG Research Fellowship (2001), and long-term recognition through the Dorothea Erxleben Scholarship (2001-2007). She serves as Associate Editor of the Geomicrobiology Journal and reviews for 14 ISI-listed journals. Professional activities include consultancy for international agencies like the Austrian Science Foundation FWF.

Her research group at BAM focuses on interdisciplinary materials science, integrating microbial processes with engineering applications. Current projects include advanced microscopy techniques for biofilm analysis and field studies on Tepuis ecosystems in Venezuela. Recent lab acquisitions include a new microprobe for geochemical analysis (2023).