Anna Holzner

Anna Holzner is a Researcher and Scientific Assistant at the University of Leipzig's Institute of Biology (Faculty of Life Sciences), working in the Behavioral Ecology Research Group under Prof. Anja Widdig. She is affiliated with the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Her work focuses on primate behavioral ecology and conservation in human-altered landscapes, particularly the impact of oil palm plantations on endangered southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Education

• PhD in Biology (2021): University of Leipzig
• MSc in Biology (2014): Linköping University, Sweden
• BSc in Biology (2012): Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich

Research Interests

Her research examines how primates adapt to agricultural environments, focusing on social behavior changes, pest control roles, and pesticide exposure risks. Key themes include:

• Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
• Ecosystem service provision by primates
• Conservation implications of habitat fragmentation

Publications

Recent work highlights macaques' role in biological pest control and the trade-offs between agricultural sustainability and wildlife survival. Collaborations include iDiv's Flexpool Program and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Awards

• 2022: Flexpool Support Fund (€10,000)
• 2021: University of Leipzig Doctoral Award
• 2017: DAAD Annual Fellowship (€8,400)

Grants & Fieldwork

Field experience includes macaque studies in Malaysia and Bali, with grants from the German Society of Primatology and DAAD. Current projects assess pesticide impacts on macaque health and economic benefits of primate-friendly plantations.

Labs/Teams

Collaborates with the Macaca Nemestrina Project and MacaqueNet global primate research network.