Lukas Y. Wick

Dr. Lukas Y. Wick serves as Head of the Working Group Bioavailability and Deputy of the Head of Department at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. With over two decades of experience in environmental microbiology, his work bridges fundamental research with practical applications for soil and water remediation.

Dr. Wick earned his Diploma in Chemistry (1989) and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (1994) from the University of Basel, Switzerland, followed by postdoctoral research at MIT. His career path includes positions at EAWAG and EPFL before joining UFZ in 2004, where he has established himself as a leader in microbial ecology research.

Research Focus: Dr. Wick's program centers on microbial degradation of organic contaminants, with particular emphasis on the bio-physical, physiological and ecological drivers that influence these processes. His team investigates biotransformation of contaminants, mycosphere ecology (bacterial-fungal interactions), fungal biotechnology for remediation, electro-bioremediation using weak electric fields, and microbial transport in subsurface environments. This integrated approach has positioned his group at the forefront of understanding how microbial communities function in contaminated environments.

Analysis of Dr. Wick's recent publication record reveals a strong trajectory toward interdisciplinary research combining microbiology, electrochemistry, and environmental engineering. His work on fungal networks as conduits for microbial dispersal and contaminant degradation has opened new avenues for bioremediation strategies, with increasing emphasis on electrokinetic approaches for enhancing pollutant breakdown.

• Over 150 peer-reviewed publications spanning environmental microbiology and bioremediation
• Multiple collaborative projects including 'Tapping nature's potential' (2021-2027) and 'Phages as vectors in the Earth's Critical Zone' (AquaDiva)
• Research connecting fundamental microbial processes with practical environmental applications

Leadership and Collaboration: As Deputy Head of the Scientific and Technical Council of UFZ, Dr. Wick plays a significant role in shaping research directions at the institution. His work demonstrates extensive international collaboration, particularly with European research institutions, and has contributed to advancing methodologies in environmental microbiology and remediation technologies.

Technical Innovation: Dr. Wick's laboratory has pioneered approaches for studying microbial activity in complex environments, particularly focusing on the mycosphere as a hotspot for biotransformation of contaminants in soil. His work on electro-bioremediation represents a novel integration of physical and biological approaches to environmental cleanup.