Linda Hink

Dr. Linda Hink is a Researcher at the Institute of Microbiology, Leibniz University Hannover, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Her work focuses on microbial ecology in natural and engineered systems, particularly investigating the effects of microplastics on soil invertebrate gut microbiomes and nitrogen cycling processes. She collaborates closely with Prof. Dr. Markus A. Horn's research group.

Her research combines analytical techniques like gas chromatography, ion chromatography-mass spectrometry, and metatranscriptomic analysis to study microbial community dynamics, hydrogen production, and biodegradation pathways. Key projects include examining the impacts of biodegradable (e.g., PCL, PLA) and non-biodegradable (e.g., PE, PET) microplastics on soil invertebrates such as Eisenia fetida (redworms) and Porcellio scaber (woodlice).

Dr. Hink's publications highlight contributions to understanding ammonia-oxidizing archaea's roles in nitrogen cycling, N2O emissions, and soil microbiology. Her work bridges environmental microbiology with ecological and biotechnological applications, addressing pressing issues like plastic pollution and sustainable agriculture.

Her research also explores novel ammonia-oxidizing archaea species like 'Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus franklandus', advancing knowledge of microbial diversity and adaptation in extreme environments. Current efforts emphasize functional metagenomics and field-based microbiome analyses to assess ecosystem-level impacts of pollutants.