Kirsten Ferner

Kirsten Ferner is a postdoctoral researcher at the Museum of Natural History (Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research) in Berlin, Germany. Her academic journey includes a postdoc at McGill University (2007-2008) and a PhD from Humboldt University of Berlin (2002-2006), funded by a DFG Research Training Group 503 fellowship. Her work bridges evolutionary biology, mammalian anatomy, and developmental physiology.

• Current affiliation: Museum of Natural History (since 2008)
• Previous affiliation: McGill University (2007-2008)
• Education: PhD (Humboldt University/IZW), Diploma (Humboldt University/IZW)

Her research focuses on the reproductive strategies of mammals, comparative anatomy of neonate mammals, and morphological analysis of skin respiration in marsupials and monotremes. She investigates the postnatal development of organ systems like lungs and kidneys, alongside gene expression patterns in these tissues.

Key publication trends include evolutionary transformations in placental structures, developmental responses to hypoxia/hypercapnia, and ontogenetic patterns across mammalian groups. Her work often compares marsupials, placentals, and monotremes to reconstruct ancestral morphotypes.