Karin Frank

Prof. Dr. Karin Frank is a W2 Professor of Ecological Modelling at the University of Osnabrück and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). She holds a Diplom in Mathematics (1988) and a Dr. rer. nat. in Mathematical Physics (1992) from the University of Leipzig, followed by a Habilitation (Dr. habil.) in Applied System Sciences (2006). Her research focuses on modeling ecological, eco-hydrological, and social-ecological systems under global change, with emphases on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and sustainable resource use. She has led major projects such as the Helmholtz Program 'EnergyLandUse' and chairs the UFZ Graduate School HIGRADE.

Her expertise includes spatial, stochastic, and agent-based modeling, integrating organismic and matter flux aspects. Key roles include Head of the Department of Ecological Modelling (since 2010) and Spokesperson for the 'Policy Instruments and Socio-Environmental Systems' (POLISES) group. Awards include the UFZ Doctoral Award (2014) and Best Presentation at HIGRADE (2013).

Research interests span species survival under habitat loss, sustainability in drylands, and land-use impacts of renewable energy systems. She co-develops tools like the FORMIND forest model and contributes to initiatives like the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv).

Recent publications highlight modeling advances in ecological resilience, socio-technical systems, and interdisciplinary decision-support frameworks. Her work bridges theory, experimentation, and policy, fostering collaboration across scientific disciplines and institutions.