Astrid Cornils

Dr. Astrid Cornils is a researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute, focusing on polar biological oceanography. She specializes in zooplankton biodiversity, environmental change impacts, and optical/molecular analysis methods. Her work integrates microscopy and genetic tools to study Arctic and global zooplankton communities. Dr. Cornils collaborates on major expeditions like MOSAiC and FRAM, analyzing zooplankton distribution and ecological responses to climate change. She leads projects on ZooScan imaging and molecular barcoding to advance long-term monitoring and taxonomy. Her research spans Arctic, Antarctic, and Patagonian ecosystems, emphasizing taxonomic resolution and ecological adaptation.

• Affiliation: Polar Biological Oceanography, AWI
• Key Projects: MOSAiC Arctic Expedition, FRAM Observing System, ZooScan imaging analysis

Her studies address zooplankton migration patterns, ocean acidification effects, and deep-sea biodiversity using integrative approaches. She has contributed to global datasets like the Pelagic Size Structure database and advances in MALDI-TOF protein fingerprinting for deep-sea copepods. Recent work highlights cryptic speciation and taxonomic challenges in copepod complexes.

Publications focus on Arctic copepod behavior, fjord ecosystems, and molecular tools for biodiversity assessment. Collaborations span international teams in marine genomics and climate impact research. Dr. Cornils' expertise bridges traditional microscopy with cutting-edge molecular and optical technologies to enhance understanding of marine plankton dynamics.