Ulrike Waltraut Ruprecht

Ulrike Waltraut Ruprecht (Mag. Dr.) is a researcher at the University of Salzburg, working as project staff in Environment and Biodiversity with cross-appointments to Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces. Her research focuses on lichenology, biodiversity conservation, and microbial ecology, particularly fungi-algae-bacteria interactions in crustose lichens as climate change bioindicators.

She leads multiple research projects including:

• Flechten OÖ III: Flechtenschutzprojekt im oberösterreichischen Alpenraum (2024-2027)
• Phylogenetic and ecological determinants of fungi-algae-bacteria associations in lichens (2022-2026)
• Conservation of endangered lichen habitats in Upper Austria (2018-2022)

Her publications demonstrate expertise in lichen taxonomy with new species discoveries from Antarctica, South America, and Pakistan. Research themes include climate impacts on symbiotic associations, alpine ecosystem conservation, and microbial adaptations in extreme environments.

Active in academic service, she peer-reviews for Journal of Fungi and Diversity, presents public lectures on lichen bioindicators, and co-organizes science outreach events including Lange Nacht der Forschung.