Dirk Mikolajewski

Dr. Dirk Mikolajewski is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, within the Rolff Group focusing on Evolutionary Biology. His work emphasizes predator-prey interactions, particularly in odonates (dragonflies and damselflies). Key areas of research include morphological defenses, phenotypic plasticity, and evolutionary adaptations to predation. He has extensively studied how dragonfly larvae develop spines as anti-predator traits and their ecological implications.

Education details are not explicitly provided, but his academic contributions span experimental ecology, evolutionary biology, and behavioral ecology. His research integrates field studies and laboratory experiments to explore how predation shapes organismal traits and diversification.

Research highlights include demonstrating the survival benefits of abdominal spines in larval dragonflies through direct manipulation, and investigating phylogeographic patterns in damselflies. His work also examines trait compensation between behavioral and morphological defenses across species and environments.

Dr. Mikolajewski collaborates widely, including with Jens Rolff, and has authored/co-authored influential papers in journals like Evolutionary Ecology Research and Behavioral Ecology. His studies often bridge ecology, evolution, and developmental biology, contributing to understanding how organisms adapt to fluctuating predation pressures.