Sara Tomiolo

Dr. Sara Tomiolo is an Assistant Professor in the Plant Ecology Group at the Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Germany. She holds a PhD in plant evolutionary ecology from Tübingen University (2013). Her research focuses on plant-plant and plant-soil biota interactions under climate change, drought, and microplastic contamination, using interdisciplinary methods including greenhouse and field experiments. She explores how abiotic stressors and biotic factors influence plant performance, community composition, and range shifts.

Professional experience includes postdoctoral roles at Aarhus University (Denmark), Kent State University (USA), and Tübingen University. Her work emphasizes science communication and open science, reflecting her commitment to accessible research practices. She is affiliated with the Institute of Evolution and Ecology within the Faculty of Science, contributing to initiatives like the 'Bunte Wiese' project. Her research addresses critical global challenges such as climate-driven species migration and soil pollution impacts on ecosystems.

Key research interests include drought effects on plant interactions, microplastic pollution consequences, and evolutionary responses to environmental stressors. Her publications span topics from niche partitioning under drought to modeling plant competition dynamics. While no awards are listed, her contributions to ecological theory and experimental methodologies are notable. She advises within the Plant Ecology Group and engages in collaborative projects across institutions.

Dr. Tomiolo’s lab focuses on integrating field observations with controlled experiments to understand ecological processes at multiple scales. Her work bridges basic research with applied challenges, offering insights into biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem resilience under global change scenarios.