Jessica Huss

Dr. Jessica Huss is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Biophysics, Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna. She currently holds an FWF-ESPRIT Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022-2025) focusing on adaptations for fog and dew harvesting in cactus spines and has previously worked as a PostDoc at BOKU Vienna (2019-2021).

Her educational background includes:

• Doctoral studies in Materials Sciences (summa cum laude), Technical University Berlin (2015-2019)
• Master of Science in Environmental Sciences/Biomaterials and Bioenergy, University of Freiburg, Germany (2012-2015)
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences/Meteorology and Climatology, University of Freiburg, Germany (2009-2012)

Dr. Huss's research is multidisciplinary, focusing on the biological development, properties, and adaptations of hard plant tissues. Her work spans biomechanics, Raman and IR spectroscopy, x-ray microtomography, and fire ecology. She investigates how plant structures like nutshells and cactus spines achieve remarkable mechanical properties through their unique cellular architectures and material compositions, with applications in biomimetic materials design.

Her publication record shows a consistent focus on plant biomechanics and materials science, particularly examining walnut shells, Banksia follicles, and cactus spines. Her research reveals how nature creates strong, protective structures through innovative cellular arrangements and material compositions, with applications in biomimetic materials design.

Her scientific awards include:

• Best Paper Award, Jubiläumsfonds der Stadt Wien für die Universität für Bodenkultur (2021)
• Promotionspreis für Nachwuchswissenschaftlerinnen, Fakultät III (Prozesswissenschaften), TU Berlin (2021)
• Poster Award Prize by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V. and Springer-Verlag GmbH, EURO Bio-inspired 2016, Potsdam, Germany (2016)
• Grant for a short term scientific mission (COST Action FP1105); granted by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (2013)

Dr. Huss has supervised three Master's theses on topics related to walnut shells and sustainable composites. She currently leads the FWF-funded project 'Adaptations for fog and dew harvesting in cactus spines' (2022-2025) and previously contributed to the EU-funded 'Scattering and tapping on soft-hard-open nuts' project (2016-2021). Her work has been featured in media outlets including Die Presse and science.apa.at.

Her research connects with several interdisciplinary teams including collaborators at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, where she worked as a Guest Scientist (2019-2020), and international partners across Europe and North America, as evidenced by her presentations in Poland, France, Germany, Israel, Thailand, the UK, and the United States.