Kristin Bergauer

Kristin Bergauer is a Junior Research Group Leader at the Ocean EcoSystems Biology Unit, RD3, affiliated with GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany. She holds a Ph.D. in Bio-Oceanography (2010–2018) and an M.Sc. in Microbial Ecology (2006–2008) from the University of Vienna, mentored by Dr. Gerhard J. Herndl and Prof. Michael Wagner.

Her research focuses on Marine Microbial Ecology, specializing in Archaea, Deep-sea Biology, Pelagic Nutrient Cycles, and Marine Metabolomics. She investigates vitamin cycling (e.g., B1), microbial interactions, and the role of chemoautotrophs in carbon fixation using multi-omics and BONCAT-FISH technologies.

Her recent publications highlight VOC dynamics in coral reefs, vitamin B1 production in oxygen minimum zones, and metaproteomics of organic matter processing. She contributes to international programs like BioGeoSCAPES and FUTURO.

Kristin mentors M.Sc. students and B.Sc. alumni, including Zoe Leonie Krause and Ana Kuonqui Fernandez. She participates in oceanographic expeditions (e.g., RV Alkor, RV Atlantic Explorer) for eDNA sampling and in situ pump deployments.