Thomas Friedrich

Dr. Thomas Friedrich is a leading researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna. His work focuses on fish ecology, sturgeon conservation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration in the Danube River Basin and beyond.

• Education: Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc.) in Biotechnology, Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) in Fish Ecology

His research spans sturgeon population genetics, habitat monitoring, and innovative conservation strategies like ex situ breeding and reintroduction. Recent projects include the LIFE-Boat4Sturgeon initiative, aiming to rescue critically endangered Danube sturgeons by 2030.

Thomas Friedrich has published extensively on sturgeon biology, aquatic biodiversity loss, and habitat restoration. His work integrates field studies, genetic analysis, and policy engagement to address threats like hydropower, pollution, and poaching.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Reinhard Liepolt Preis für Donauforschung (2023)
  • Neptun Staatspreis für Wasser (2023)
  • Danubius Young Scientist Award (2017)
  • Wissenschaftlicher Förderpreis der Wiener Umweltschutzabteilung (2012)

He leads multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with institutions like WWF Caucasus and SCUTE Consortium. His outreach efforts include media campaigns to raise public awareness about freshwater biodiversity crises in Austria.