Annika Jahnke

Prof. Dr. Annika Jahnke is a Professor at RWTH Aachen University and Head of the Department of Exposure Science (cooperative) at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. She joined UFZ in 2014 as an ERC Grantee and Research Group Leader and served as interim Head of the Department of Ecological Chemistry from 2022-2023. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry (2007) and a Diploma in Environmental Sciences (2003) from Lüneburg University.

Her research integrates environmental and human health assessments through three primary domains:

• Novel passive equilibrium sampling using silicone-based 'chemometers' to investigate chemical activity and pollutant fate
• Characterization of the exposome (lifelong chemical exposure) in environmental biota and humans
• Environmental weathering processes and fate of plastics

This work bridges environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and policy-relevant science.

Jahnke's recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on plastic pollution mechanisms, chemical fate modeling, and advanced monitoring techniques. Her research consistently addresses global challenges like microplastic degradation, contaminant transport in ecosystems, and science-based policy development for chemical regulation.

She actively advises PhD students including Dusan Materic, Elisa Rojo-Nieto, Lennart Schüler, and Anran Luo through projects like nanoINHALE. Her leadership extends to major grants such as:

• ERC StG CHEMO-RISK (€1.5M, 2016-2022)
• EXPOSO-METER (2018-2025, multi-institutional marine mammal exposome study)
• P-LEACH (2022-2025, HGF-funded UV degradation of plastics)
• nanoINHALE (2024-2026, nanoparticle release mechanisms)

At UFZ, she leads the Exposure Science Team comprising 20+ researchers focused on chemical fate, passive sampling, and mixture toxicity. Her group develops tools like chemometers for field deployment and collaborates globally through initiatives like the International Panel on Chemicals and Pollution.