Simon Poppinga

Simon Poppinga is an Adjunct Professor and Scientific Director of the Botanical Garden at TU Darmstadt. He leads the Poppinga lab, focusing on biomechanics, functional morphology, and biomimetics, with interdisciplinary research bridging biology and technical applications.

The lab investigates form-structure-function relationships in plants and animals. Key projects include analyzing the underwater snap-trap mechanism of the carnivorous waterwheel plant for soft robotics applications, studying leech suction cups (BiPas project), and exploring plant hinge diversity and evolution. His work emphasizes abstraction of biological principles for technical systems.

He collaborates with industry and other disciplines, utilizing the Botanical Garden as a "living showcase" for university teaching and public engagement initiatives like the "Green Classroom."

• Office: B1/08 103, TU Darmstadt
• Phone: +49 6151 16-22340