Julia Bechteler

Prof. Dr. Julia Bechteler is a leading researcher in plant systematics and evolutionary biology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) since 2024. Her work bridges molecular phylogenetics, ecological transcriptomics, and biogeography with a focus on non-vascular plants and desert flora.

• Current affiliations: Professor for Plant Phylogenomics and Systematics at LMU
• Past affiliations: Junior-Professor at RPTU (2023-2024), substitution professor at University of Bonn (2022-2023)

Her research centers on two major areas:

• Arid habitat adaptation – Using transcriptomic and genomic analyses of desert plants like Loasaceae and Cucurbitaceae in the Atacama and Namib Deserts through projects DFG CRC1211 B07: Desert transcriptomics and BMBF FRAMe.
• Bryophyte evolution – Studying phylogenetic patterns and ecological transitions in epiphytic liverworts (Metzgeriaceae, Lejeuneaceae) through integrative taxonomy and molecular systematics.

Article trends show strong focus on:

• Evolutionary mechanisms in arid environments
• Phylogenomic dating of bryophyte lineages
• Biogeographic patterns in tropical and desert plants
• Fossil record analysis using amber-preserved specimens

She actively trains students in molecular biodiversity research, trait evolution analysis, and environmental interaction studies, maintaining a lab group with researchers working on cultivation protocols and phylogenetic analyses.