Katharina Kesy

Dr. Katharina Kesy is a Research Fellow and Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Germany, leading a Junior research group on Aquatic Microbiomes since January 2021. Her work focuses on microbial interactions in aquatic environments with emphasis on anthropogenic impacts.

Education Background:

• PhD (2014-2020): Environmental Microbiology, University of Rostock and Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemuende; Dissertation: 'Bacterial biofilms on microplastics in the Baltic Sea - Composition, influences, and interactions with their environment' under Prof. Dr. Matthias Labrenz.
• Master's (2011-2013): Marine Biology, University of Rostock; Thesis: 'Composition of microbial biofilms on microplastic particles after passage through the digestive tract of Arenicola marina' under Prof. Dr. Matthias Labrenz.
• Bachelor's (2007-2011): Biology, Free University of Berlin; Thesis: 'Habitat use of the newly introduced species Hemigrapsus spec. and competitive interactions with Carcinus maenas in the northern Wadden Sea' under Dr. Christian Buschbaum and Prof. Dr. Karsten Reise.

Research Focus: Dr. Kesy's scholarship centers on microbial community dynamics in polluted marine ecosystems, particularly investigating how microplastics alter biofilm formation and function in the Baltic Sea. Her interdisciplinary approach combines environmental microbiology with ecological analysis to examine microbe-pollutant interactions, microbial succession on synthetic substrates, and biogeochemical consequences of plastic pollution in aquatic habitats. Current work extends to understanding the trophic transfer of microplastics through marine food webs and associated microbial consortia.

Scientific Recognition: No awards or fellowships were documented in the source material.

Professional Activities: As principal investigator of her Junior research group, Dr. Kesy directs experimental studies on aquatic microbiomes while maintaining collaborative ties with the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research. Her laboratory work involves advanced microbial community profiling and environmental simulation techniques to assess anthropogenic impacts on marine microbial ecosystems.