Franziska Bergmeier

Dr. Franziska Bergmeier is a postdoctoral researcher in Systematic Zoology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Her work focuses on integrative taxonomy of Solenogastres (Mollusca), particularly in deep-sea environments of the Northwest Pacific. Combining morphological and molecular methods, she explores biodiversity patterns in these understudied molluscs.

Education:

• B.Sc. Biology (2008–2012), LMU Munich
• M.Sc. Biology (2012–2013), LMU Munich (Thesis: Integrative Taxonomy of Interstitial Solenogastres)
• PhD (2014–2021), LMU Munich

Research Interests: Cryptic speciation, molecular phylogenetics, deep-sea biodiversity, meiofaunal ecology, and systematics of Aplacophora. Her work bridges traditional morphology with modern genetic techniques to redefine species boundaries in understudied marine taxa.

Awards & Grants:

• 2018 Oxford Prize of Malacology
• 2017 DAAD Scholarship for research in Tokyo
• Multiple best presentation awards at Deep-Sea Biology Symposia
• Funding from the Society of Systematic Biologists and Malacological Societies

Advising & Labs: No listed advisees, but collaborates extensively with deep-sea research networks. Active participant in MEIOZORES expeditions exploring Azorean meiofauna.