Katharina Mahr

Katharina Mahr is a Research Fellow at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology (KLIVV), Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. Holding an FWF Erwin-Schrödinger post-doctoral fellowship since 2018, she maintains a dual affiliation with the University of Debrecen's Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, where she integrates behavioural ecology with physiological approaches to study songbird life-history evolution.

Education:

• Doctoral thesis (2012-2016): "The Evolution of Female Song in the Superb Fairy Wren (Malurus cyaneus)" at University of Vienna, KLIVV, and Flinders University
• Graduate study (2009-2010): "Do Ornaments Affect Parental Investment?" with KLIVV
• Matura (2003) from Sacré Coeur, Pressbaum, Lower Austria

Research Interests: Dr. Mahr investigates evolutionary mechanisms of ornamental traits, reproductive behaviours, and nest defence strategies, with recent emphasis on physiological underpinnings. Her work centres on Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in life-history decisions, examining its role in reproduction timing (using bearded reedlings) and stress-coping mechanisms in songbirds through endocrine-immunological axes. This bridges behavioural ecology with molecular physiology to understand adaptive trade-offs.

Scientific Awards:

• FWF Erwin-Schrödinger fellowship

Grants and Projects: She leads "The Role of IGF-1 in Reproductive Life-history" (FWF) and "The behavioural and physiological underpinnings of stress coping capacity in a passerine" (OEAD Austria-Hungary program). Previously, she investigated light pollution effects on blue tit breeding (Hochschuljubiläumsstiftung, Vienna).

Labs and Teams: Based at KLIVV's Ornithology unit, she collaborates with Debrecen's Department of Human Biology and Evolutionary Ecology, utilizing field and laboratory approaches to study passerine physiology and behaviour.