Thomas Borsch

Prof. Dr. Thomas Borsch is a renowned academic at the Freie Universität Berlin, serving as Professor of Systematic Botany and Geography of Plants and Director of the Botanical Garden Berlin. He holds a W3 professorship and leads the Borsch Group, focusing on plant evolution, phylogenetics, and biodiversity conservation. His career includes roles at the University of Oldenburg and the Nees Institute, with expertise in molecular systematics and integrative taxonomy.

Education: PhD (2000) and Habilitation (2005) from the University of Bonn. His research spans plant phylogenomics, biogeography, and conservation strategies, with active projects in Colombia, the South Caucasus, and Vietnam. He co-leads initiatives like ColBioDiv and EvoBoGa, emphasizing biodiversity management and genetic resource utilization.

Key achievements include over 110 peer-reviewed articles, contributions to global flora projects (e.g., World Flora Online), and leadership roles in scientific bodies like the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities. Awards include the Heisenberg Fellowship and Jugend forscht Prize. His lab facilities specialize in DNA analysis, genome sequencing, and microscopy.

Research interests emphasize workflow development for museum collections, sustainable biodiversity use, and international collaboration. His team includes postdocs and PhD students working on projects ranging from Campanulaceae phylogeny to Andean forest dynamics.