Sonja Zimmermann

Dr. Sonja Zimmermann is a Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, specializing in Aquatic Ecology. With over 20 years of experience in research and teaching, her work focuses on the environmental behavior, bioaccumulation, and toxicological effects of pollutants—particularly platinum group elements (PGEs: platinum, palladium, rhodium) from automotive catalysts—in aquatic ecosystems. She combines field studies, laboratory toxicity tests, and biomarker assays to investigate metal exposure and effects in organisms like zebra mussels, fish, and parasites.

• Research Areas: Ecotoxicology, Environmental Chemistry, Parasitology, Metal Toxicity, Aquatic Pollution, and Environmental Monitoring.
• Projects: Principal investigator in the German-South African Cooperation project PGEAquaTox.

Her publications span over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, emphasizing PGEs' ecological impacts and innovative monitoring tools like artificial mussels. She serves as a reviewer for 20+ journals and teaches in the International Master's Program in Environmental Toxicology and Bachelor's Program in Biology, covering lectures, seminars, and practical courses.