Doreen Kohlbach

Dr. Doreen Kohlbach is a researcher at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), leading the Double Trouble junior research group under the Sea Ice Physics department. Her work focuses on polar marine ecosystems, particularly the role of sea ice in sustaining zooplankton and Arctic food webs. She investigates climate change impacts on marine biology, including carbon flux dynamics, zooplankton adaptation, and the interplay between sea ice properties and biota.

Her research employs advanced biomarker techniques, fatty acid analysis, and stable isotope tracing to unravel trophic relationships and energy pathways. Key projects include studies on Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems, emphasizing how ice algae and phytoplankton support marine life. Recent work highlights threats to zooplankton under changing climatic conditions and the vulnerability of Arctic species to environmental shifts.

Dr. Kohlbach collaborates on expeditions such as the 2024 Arctic cruise, contributing to long-term ocean observation initiatives. Her findings inform resource management strategies and climate adaptation frameworks in polar regions. She is affiliated with the Sea Ice Physics department in Bremerhaven, Germany.