Anouk Willemsen

Anouk Willemsen is Assistant Professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Vienna, leading research on the evolutionary genetics of giant viruses (Nucleocytoviricota) through ERC Starting Grant support. Her group investigates viral adaptation mechanisms, codon usage evolution, and host-virus coevolution using genomics, experimental approaches, and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques.

Key publications describe defensive symbioses protecting amoebae from viral infection, the discovery of Naegleria-infecting giant viruses, and widespread codon usage mismatches between viruses and hosts. Current projects explore viral gene transfer dynamics and the role of mobile genetic elements in viral ecology. Willemsen holds editorial roles in virology journals and coordinates research partnerships with Japanese and European laboratories studying viral diversity.

She received the Humboldt Research Fellowship and Berlin Prize for her work on viral evolution and serves on advisory boards for academic book series in microbiology.