Professor Jan Frank, Ph.D., leads the Department of Food Biofunctionality at the Institute of Nutritional Sciences , University of Hohenheim. He serves as Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and chairs the Research Center for Health Sciences steering committee. His research focuses on micronutrient bioavailability , vitamin E metabolism , and phytochemical absorption mechanisms using in vitro models and human trials. Key research trends across 137+ publications include: Vitamin E congeners metabolism and pharmacokinetics Curcuminoids and flavonoids bioavailability enhancement Micronutrient interactions in gastrointestinal digestion Phytochemical effects on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress Carotenoids and tocochromanols in food matrices Dietary interventions for metabolic syndrome and aging Awards and editorial roles: Editor-in-Chief of NFS Journal (since 2015) Associate Editor for Nutrition and Plant Foods for Human Nutrition Founding President of the Society of Nutrition and Food Science His laboratory employs in vitro digestion/Caco-2 models , cell culture , and advanced chromatography for studying bioactive compounds. Current grants involve DFG International Research Training Group AMAIZE-P (phosphate-maize interactions) and Carb-Q-4-Health (carbohydrate quality research). Former Ph.D. advisees include Damaris Beitze (DRC maternal nutrition), Semaw Ferede Abera (Ethiopian NCD risks), and Laila Eleraky (Tanzanian farmer nutrition).
Professor Dr. Michael Keusgen is a University Professor and Group Leader at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Philipps-University Marburg. His research focuses on biosensorics and natural product analysis , particularly sulfur-containing compounds in Allium species. Position: Group Leader, University Professor Institution: Philipps-University Marburg Department: Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Location: Wilhelm-Roser-Straße 2, Marburg, Germany Contact: michael.keusgen@staff.uni-marburg.de Scientific contributions span chemical sensor development (H2O2, cyanide, heavy metals) using calorimetric, amperometric, and SPR technologies. His group investigates pharmacologically relevant compounds in medicinal plants, particularly Allium species, focusing on cysteine sulfoxides, volatile sulfur compounds, and their biological activities. Research collaborations include the Centre for Oriental Traditional Medicine and DAAD-funded projects. Publications (2000-2010) reflect interdisciplinary work at the interface of pharmaceutical chemistry , sensor technology , and phytochemical analysis . Academic team includes: Dr. Amir Balash (External Contributor) MA Aya Darkoushi (Foreign Language Secretary) Dr. Shah Mahmoud Faqiri (Scholarship Holder) Simon Vincent Götz (PhD Student) Dr. Abdul Ghani Karimi (Postdoctoral Fellow) Dr. Mitra Keusgen (Scientific Associate) Ali Hassan Mozaffari (PhD Student) Dr. Doru Vornicescu (Postdoctoral Fellow) Kevin Hoffmann (Technical Assistant) Current job offers seek students for diploma theses in biosensorics and natural product analysis, requiring pharmacy/chemistry/biology backgrounds, strong teamwork skills, and HPLC expertise.
Dr. Michael Bodensteiner serves as the Head of the X-ray Structure Analysis Department within the Central Analytics Unit at the University of Regensburg's Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy. With over a decade of leadership in crystallographic analysis since 2011, he has established himself as a key figure in quantum crystallography and advanced X-ray structure determination techniques. His educational background includes chemistry studies at the University of Regensburg (2001-2007) culminating in a diploma thesis on "Investigations into the oligomerization of Lewis acid/base-stabilized phosphanylalanes" under Prof. Dr. M. Scheer, followed by doctoral research on "Lewis Acid-Base-Stabilized Phosphanylalanes and Crystal Structure Determinations" completed between 2007-2011. Dr. Bodensteiner's research focuses on quantum crystallography, particularly the application of individual aspherical form factors derived from quantum chemical calculations or multipole refinement. His work significantly advances the understanding of electron density distribution, bonding relationships, and precise hydrogen positioning at neutron diffraction levels. He specializes in Cu-Kβ radiation techniques that provide superior resolution for challenging crystal structures like "sponge crystals," and has developed methods for individual determination of anomalous dispersion during structure model refinement. His research directly contributes to the development of the NoSpherA2 software, which he co-developed. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on quantum crystallographic methods, particularly through the NoSpherA2 platform. His work spans from fundamental charge density analysis to applications in heavy element compounds, organometallic chemistry, and materials science. A notable trend is the integration of computational methods with experimental crystallography to extract maximum information from X-ray diffraction data, with particular attention to anomalous dispersion effects and advanced refinement techniques. Dr. Bodensteiner actively teaches multiple courses in X-ray crystallography across both winter and summer semesters, including practical courses on single-crystal X-ray structure analysis and theoretical components covering the journey from crystal to reflection and back. His teaching extends to general chemistry for biologists, pharmaceutical scientists, and business chemists. As Managing Director of OlexSys GmbH, he bridges academic research with commercial applications of crystallographic software. His professional leadership extends to multiple crystallographic societies where he serves in significant roles, including as board member of the Chemical Crystallography Working Group in the Analytical Chemistry Division of the German Chemical Society, and involvement with multiple special interest groups in the European Crystallographic Association. His laboratory work centers around advanced X-ray diffraction techniques, with particular expertise in quantum crystallography methods, Cu-Kβ radiation applications, and anomalous dispersion parameter refinement. The department under his leadership serves as a critical analytical resource for the university's chemistry research community, providing high-precision structure determinations that inform broader chemical investigations across multiple research groups.
Prof. Dr. Petra Högger is a full professor at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry , Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Würzburg. A graduate of pharmacy from the University of Münster (1988), she earned her doctorate in 1992 and habilitation in 2000, both focusing on glucocorticoid action. Her research connects molecular pharmacology with clinical applications through extensive work on: Glucocorticoid receptor dynamics and tissue binding Pharmacokinetics of respiratory medications CD163 receptor regulation in inflammation Polyphenol bioactivity and metabolism With over 30 years of research experience including a DFG fellowship at UCSF (1993-1994), she has mentored 21 PhD students and developed innovative models for pulmonary drug absorption. Her work combines in vitro , ex vivo , and clinical study approaches, particularly using human lung perfusion systems and dried blood spot technology. Recent publications focus on: Polyphenol stability and metabolism Neuroprotective silibinin derivatives Glucocorticoid pharmacokinetics in respiratory diseases CD163 shedding mechanisms Biomarker development in arthritis and diabetes Pharmacological evaluation of plant extracts (Pycnogenol, Robuvit) She maintains active research in clinical pharmacy with applications in asthma treatment optimization and metabolic syndrome management.
Christian Zidorn is a Professor at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel's Pharmaceutical Institute, leading the Kiel Pharmacognosy Group (AK Zidorn). His research spans bioactive plant natural products, chemophenetics, chemical ecology, and marine natural products, with a focus on Cichorieae tribe (Asteraceae), vegetable plant constituents, and seagrass metabolomics. Chair, Pharmacy Section Committee (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Kiel University) University Professors Committee for Young Scientists Promotion Equal Opportunities Committee member His work integrates chemophenetics (taxonomic classification through secondary metabolite arrays), marine natural products (Zosteraceae metabolites), and vegetable plant research (bioactive flavonoids and terpenoids). Key compound classes include flavonoid glycosides, lignans, sesquiterpene lactones, and diarylheptanoids. His group employs UHPLC-DAD-MS , NMR , and GC-MS for structural elucidation. Recent publications (2025-2019) demonstrate trends in studying seasonal metabolite variations (e.g., European beech), chemophenetic markers for plant hybrid detection (Doronicum × longeflorens), and natural product sequestration (Orobanche from Nicotiana). His 2019 editorial introduced the term plant chemophenetics to modernize chemotaxonomic studies. Current projects involve genetic-chemophenetic correlations in grassland species and anti-inflammatory/anti-diabetic compound discovery from South Asian Rubiaceae. The group emphasizes methodological rigor in plant metabolomics, advocating for voucher specimens and artefact-free extraction protocols.
Cica Vissiennon is a pharmacology researcher at the University of Leipzig , leading a research group since 2017. Her work bridges traditional African/European medicine with modern pharmacological methods, focusing on bioactivity testing of natural products for inflammatory diseases. Habilitation in pharmacology/toxicology (2023) Advisory Board Member, Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research Collaborated with European Medicines Agency and DAAD-funded projects Research Aims include: Elucidating mechanisms of natural substances in pathophysiological targets Developing in vitro models for drug testing Rationalizing traditional Western African healing approaches Recent article trends show focus on: Anti-inflammatory effects of Benin-derived plant extracts Synergistic interactions in herbal combinations Intestinal barrier stabilization using natural compounds Key Collaborations : University of Pretoria (2023 Summer School) IRGIB-Africa University (Benin) Makerere University (Uganda) Student Training : Mentored doctoral students in Leipzig Organized international research camps for young African scientists
Professor Iman Rusmana is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Indonesia. His research spans environmental microbiology with strong expertise in microbial community ecology and ecophysiology. His primary research focuses include: Nitrogen cycling metabolisms in tropical estuaries and agricultural systems Methanotrophic and methanogenic bacteria in rice fields and aquatic ecosystems Bacterial probiotics for aquaculture Molecular studies of bacterial anti-quorum sensing mechanisms Professor Rusmana's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to microbial ecology, particularly in tropical environments. His recent work (2023-2024) shows strong emphasis on bioelectrochemical systems, microbial fuel cells, nitrogen cycle dynamics in estuaries, and mangrove ecosystem biogeochemistry. His research integrates metagenomics, microbial metabolism analysis, and molecular techniques to address environmental challenges. His work has been supported by major Indonesian funding agencies including Kemenristek DIKTI through various projects such as CRC Start Up and other research grants focused on sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. Professor Rusmana actively collaborates with researchers across Indonesia and has contributed to significant projects including the CRC project group B02 on rainforest transformation impacts on soil prokaryotic communities in Sumatra.
Abd El-Nasser S. Al Borki serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Benghazi, Libya, conducting critical ecological research on the country's Mediterranean mountain ecosystems. His work focuses on plant-environment interactions in Libya's unique Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region. Education includes: Bachelor of Botany, Garyounis University (University of Benghazi), Libya PhD in Ecology, Cairo University, Egypt (2016) His research examines how elevation gradients, soil properties, and microclimatic factors shape plant distribution, functional traits, and biodiversity patterns across Libyan mountain landscapes. Field studies investigate endemic species adaptations, phenological responses to environmental stressors, and conservation vulnerabilities in threatened ecosystems like the Al-Akhdar forests. Recent work analyzes functional trait plasticity in Phlomis floccosa populations and elevation-driven species diversity patterns. Scientific contributions include: 6 peer-reviewed publications since 2016 Research on Libyan medicinal plants with sustainable utilization potential Conservation assessments of endangered species like Juniperus phoenicea Dr. Al Borki maintains active collaborations with Libyan and international researchers, conducting field-based ecological monitoring that informs biodiversity conservation strategies for Libya's vulnerable mountain ecosystems. His work bridges fundamental ecological research with practical conservation applications in North Africa's Mediterranean regions.
Dr. Phil Richter is a Research Fellow (Postdoc) at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, conducting pioneering research in the Metabolic Function & Biosignals Research Group on extra-oral chemoreceptor physiology. His academic credentials include: PhD in Natural Sciences (summa cum laude) from Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TUM (2020-2025) Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from University of Bayreuth, Elite Graduate Program (2017-2020) Master of Education from University of Bayreuth (2017-2020) First state teaching examination (Biology/Chemistry) in Bavaria (2019) Dr. Richter's research centers on chemosensory mechanisms beyond classical perception , investigating how food metabolites interact with gastrointestinal receptors to influence physiological processes. His work reveals how sweet proteins like thaumatin are digested into bitter peptides that activate gastric TAS2R receptors , triggering anti-inflammatory pathways and modulating acid secretion. Current projects examine environmental pollution effects on nutrient sensing and industry-backed applications of bitter plant extracts for gastric health. His 2022-2025 publication record demonstrates consistent innovation in molecular food-gut interactions , employing advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy to characterize receptor binding without calcium signaling. This research bridges food chemistry and gastrointestinal physiology to develop novel dietary interventions for inflammation-related conditions. As Postdoc Representative (since 2025), Dr. Richter actively shapes the institute's research culture while contributing to Leibniz Association-funded projects. Though not supervising students directly, he mentors junior researchers in the group's collaborative environment focused on translating chemosensory discoveries into health applications. The Metabolic Function & Biosignals Research Group operates at the intersection of food science and human biology, utilizing cutting-edge infrastructure at the Freising campus to decode how dietary compounds influence health through chemoreceptor-mediated pathways.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Veltel is a Professor at the University of Bremen affiliated with Faculty 5 and Department 2, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biotechnology and materials science. His work focuses on leveraging algae-derived components for industrial and medical applications. His research portfolio emphasizes: Redox enzyme applications from macroalgae in bioindustrial processes Recombinant protein expression systems using microalgae like Chlorella vulgaris Antibacterial nanofiber development for advanced wound healing Environmental electron microscopy for complex material characterization Extraction of bioactive compounds from aquatic plant waste Diagnostic assay development using algal marker proteins Current research projects include: Recombinant protein expression in Chlorella vulgaris as a production organism (08/2025-08/2026) Antibacterial nanofibers from fibrinogen (09/2024-08/2025) Equipment center for multidisciplinary structural analysis (01/2024-12/2028) Diagnostic tests using macroalgal marker proteins (09/2023-08/2024) Identification of bioactive substances in aquatic plant waste (06/2021-10/2022) BioProMare: Redox enzymes from algae subproject C (02/2020-07/2023) Antioxidants from macroalgae (08/2019-12/2021) Prof. Veltel actively disseminates findings through conference presentations including the DA-CH Algen Summit (2021) and Federal Algen Stammtisch (2022), though no formal advisees or scientific awards are documented in available materials.
Prof. Ralf Schweiggert is a Professor and head of the Institute for Beverage Research at Geisenheim University. His research integrates food chemistry, analytical technology, and process engineering to advance beverage quality and functionality. Key focus areas include: Analytical Innovation : Development of HPLC-MS, NMR, and GC-MS methods for authenticating juices and quantifying bioactive compounds like carotenoids and phenolics. Process Optimization : Engineering non-thermal techniques (e.g., spiral filter pressing) to preserve nutrients in fruit juices and studying enzymatic treatments for wine stabilization. Health-focused Applications : Investigating anti-inflammatory properties of plant pigments and glycemic responses to functional beverages. He leads multiple industry-funded projects, including cider yeast development and sugar reduction in yogurt. His recent publications emphasize phenolic compound stability, enzymatic protein management in wines, and biostimulant effects on crop quality.
Prof. Dr. Michaela Schmitz is a faculty member at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg's Faculty of Agriculture Soest, where she directs the BSc. Sustainable Food Systems program. She teaches courses in food analytics, environmental chemistry, food technology, and food law. Her research integrates sustainable packaging development, plant stress physiology (particularly apple replant disease), and bioactive compound characterization. Research interests emphasize: Sustainable Resource Use: Extraction of bioactive compounds from plant waste for packaging additives Food Safety: Dynamics of allergens (Mal d 1) in apples under storage/processing Analytical Innovation: Advanced HPLC/GC-MS methods for food/environmental analysis Plant Health: Physiological responses to biotic/abiotic stressors in crops She leads a laboratory equipped with cutting-edge analytical instrumentation, supporting research in food quality and environmental sustainability. Collaborative projects include interdisciplinary consortia like BonaRes, addressing soil fatigue in orchards.
Professor Simone Röhlen-Schmittgen is a leading researcher in vegetable crop science at Hochschule Geisenheim University, holding the Professorship for Vegetable Crops within the Faculty of Horticultural Sciences. Her work focuses on developing climate-resilient vegetable production systems, particularly for cucurbits and tomatoes, addressing the challenges posed by climate change through innovative agricultural approaches. Her research interests span climate change adaptation in horticulture, stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, priming techniques for sustainable crop protection, organic farming systems, and fruit quality analysis under environmental stress. Professor Röhlen-Schmittgen investigates how thermopriming and other pre-conditioning methods can induce stress tolerance in vegetable crops, potentially reducing pesticide use while maintaining yields under changing climatic conditions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on thermopriming as a sustainable method to enhance plant tolerance to multiple stresses. Her work demonstrates how heat pre-treatments can induce cross-tolerance to salinity stress in tomatoes, with implications for sustainable greenhouse production. The research shows accumulation of protective compounds like phenols and flavonols, and changes in fruit quality parameters including carotenoids and starch content. Professor Röhlen-Schmittgen leads two significant research projects: QCuK (Quality of Fruits of Cucurbitaceae in Climate Change, 2023-2026) which examines zucchini varieties under drought conditions, and HortiPrimed (2022-2024) which investigates priming techniques for tomato production. These projects involve multi-site field trials across Germany and interdisciplinary collaborations between plant scientists, breeders, and nutrition researchers. She actively contributes to knowledge transfer through presentations at major horticultural conferences including the GFPi conference in Bonn and the BHGL-DGG annual meeting in Braunschweig, addressing topics such as climate-resilient zucchini cultivation and stress tolerance mechanisms in vegetable crops.
