Katja Metfies

Dr. Katja Metfies is a molecular ecologist at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), specializing in polar biological oceanography. Her primary affiliation is with the AWI's Biosciences division, focusing on the Polar Biological Oceanography department. She leads the FRAM project's WP4.5 on molecular microbial observatories and contributes to major initiatives like MOSAiC. Her research interests include molecular biodiversity of phytoplankton, marine food webs, and Arctic carbon cycling via molecular sensors. Metfies' work integrates long-term observations, such as those at the HAUSGARTEN observatory, to study Arctic Ocean dynamics and climate impacts. She is deeply involved in interdisciplinary projects addressing phytoplankton dynamics, sea-ice interactions, and carbon export processes. Key tools in her research include metabarcoding, environmental DNA, and autonomous sampling systems. Metfies' contributions span over 200 peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing Arctic ecosystem resilience and biogeochemical fluxes. She collaborates internationally on expeditions aboard the RV Polarstern, advancing understanding of polar marine ecosystems under global change.