Julia Cramer

Julia Cramer is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Seewiesen, Germany, where she conducts postdoctoral research within the Evolution of Sensory and Physiological Systems group. Her work bridges molecular biology and ecological adaptation to investigate sensory system evolution in birds.

Academic background:

• PhD, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (now Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence), 2016-2022
• MSc in Biology (Ecology and Evolution focus), University of Konstanz, 2013
• BSc in Biology, University of Konstanz, 2010

Professional experience includes postdoctoral research (2022-present), doctoral studies (2016-2022), and laboratory/field assistance (2015-2016) at the Seewiesen campus. Her research examines how coraciimorph birds perceive sweet tastes despite lacking the canonical T1R2/T1R3 mammalian receptor complex, analyzing genetic mutations across dietary specialists (nectarivores/frugivores/insectivores) and generalists. Through integrated molecular experiments and behavioral assays, she documents convergent evolution mechanisms in taste receptor functionality, revealing how sensory adaptations drive ecological niche specialization. Current work expands phylogenetic sampling to map receptor evolution across avian lineages.

Based at the Seewiesen campus (Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse 82319), she utilizes specialized facilities for sensory physiology research while advancing understanding of evolutionary constraints on dietary adaptation.