Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchGermany
Adam Runions is a researcher in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, leading the MPG Partner Group in computational analysis of leaf development through collaborative work with Miltos Tsiantis. His group is embedded in the Graphics Cluster, focusing on interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of computer science and developmental biology. University of Calgary - Department of Computer Science MPG Partner Group (2022) Graphics Cluster affiliation His research explores computational modeling and analysis of plant form and development across multiple scales, integrating geometric modeling, physically-based simulation, and computer-aided design. Key themes include plant morphogenesis, self-organization of natural forms, and cross-disciplinary applications in computer graphics and animation. Recent publications emphasize plant development (leaf shape, bark patterning), mathematical modeling (auxin-driven patterning), and geometric techniques (subdivision surfaces, PUPs). Collaborations span institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research. Scientific Awards Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Best Paper Award (International Conference on Cyberworlds 2015) Best Student Paper Award (Computer Graphics International 2011) The group actively recruits BSc, MSc, and PhD students with backgrounds in computer science and mathematics for projects on plant form simulation and digital content creation. Research integrates evolutionary biology, biomechanical modeling, and computational techniques.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Tasdemir is a Full Professor (W3) of Marine Natural Products Chemistry at GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel and serves as Director of the GEOMAR-Biotech center and Head of the Marine Natural Product Chemistry Research Unit. Her career spans institutions including the National University of Ireland Galway and UCL School of Pharmacy. PhD in Pharmacy, ETH Zurich (1997) Post-doctoral work, University of Utah (2001) Dr. Helmut Legerlotz Fellowship, University of Zurich (2002-2025) Her research focuses on marine chemical ecology , metabolomics , and bioprospecting for bioactive compounds from sponges, algae, and marine microbiomes. Recent work explores seagrass pathogen reduction, microbiome interactions, and aquafeed applications. Scientific awards include: Waters Award for Natural Products Innovation (2016) Egon Stahl Silver Medal (2005) Pierre Fabre Prize (2004) ETH Zurich Medal (1997) She leads collaborative projects on ocean sustainability and marine drug discovery, with editorial roles in Marine Drugs , Planta Medica , and Phytochemistry Letters .
Dr. Alexandra von Lieven is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Egyptology at the Free University of Berlin , specializing in Ancient Egyptian mythology, religious studies, and cultural history. She held a fellowship at the Lichtenberg-Kolleg (University of Göttingen) from October 2010 to July 2011. Her research focuses on divine norm transgression in Egyptian myths, analyzing hierarchies, gender roles, and legal frameworks. She explores comparative phenomena in other ancient mythologies to distinguish Egyptian-specific traits from cultural universals. Education : Egyptology and Comparative Religious Studies, with additional studies in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, and Indology at the University of Tübingen. Research Highlights : Compiling a comprehensive inventory of deities involved in norm transgression; identifying mythemes related to rape, hierarchies, and gender in the Osiris myth; comparative analysis with other ancient mythologies. Key Publications : Studies on celestial mythology, Thoth's role in cross-cultural traditions, Seth cult sites, divine manifestations in nature, and rituals for goddesses.
Elena Anatolyevna Babushkina is a Professor at the Department of Construction and Economics of Siberian Federal University. She serves as director and scientific consultant of the Scientific and Educational Laboratory 'Dendroecology and Environmental Monitoring' . Her work spans dendrochronology, climate change impacts on tree growth, wood anatomy, and environmental monitoring in Siberian ecosystems. Doctor of Biological Sciences (2020) Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Extensive collaborations with international institutions like University of Arizona, University of Cambridge, and Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research Her research focuses on climatic reconstruction through tree rings , moisture-limited forest ecosystems , and environmental drivers of xylogenesis . Recent studies analyze earlywood/latewood dynamics, drought sensitivity, and cross-species growth patterns in Siberian larch, spruce, and Scots pine populations. Elena’s publications (100+ scientific, 10+ methodological) include 15 recent articles on tree-ring-based climate proxies , crop yield modeling , and seasonal growth regulation . Key journals include Forests , Dendrochronologia , and Scientific Reports . Notable scientific awards include the 2021 Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation title and multiple Presidential and Ministerial Certificates of Appreciation . She leads national grants (RFBR, RSF) on climate-crop interactions and genetic adaptation to environmental stress .
Sandra Hajek is a researcher at the Department of Romance Philology, University of Göttingen. She works under the chair of Prof. Dr. Guido Mensching and serves as a scientific assistant in the editorial team of the Zeitschrift für französische Sprache und Literatur (ZFSL) . Current research focuses on: Sprachgeographie/Geolinguistik Dialektometrie Sprachgeschichte Varietätenlinguistik Sprachkontakt Romanische Sprachen in hebräischer Graphie Her publications include monographs on Campanian dialect variation and collaborative studies on Hebrew-scripted Romance glosses. Recent work centers on Judeo-French linguistic traditions, medieval botanical terminology, and dialectometrical analyses of Sardinian and Old Occitan elements. Contact: shajek1@gwdg.de
Nessim Znaien serves as Assistant Professor of History of Colonial and Postcolonial Maghreb at Philipps University of Marburg's Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS) since 2022, where he heads the Maghreb Field of Expertise team. His academic trajectory spans French institutions including Aix-Marseille University and research roles at the French Research Institute on Contemporary Maghreb in Tunis. His educational background includes: PhD in History, Université Paris 1-Panthéon Sorbonne (2012-2017) with thesis 'The Grapes of domination. Social History of Alcohol in Tunisia under Protectorate (1881-1956)' MA in History, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (2011-2012) CAPES in History (2009) Bachelor’s degree in Modern Standard Arabic, Aix-Marseille University (2014-2018) University degrees in Italian (B2) and Turkish (B1) from Aix-Marseille University (2018-2021) Znaien's research centers on 19th-20th century North African history through material and food studies, examining colonial societies' structures and Tunisian historiography. His work uniquely bridges alcohol history with broader socio-economic patterns, revealing how substances like wine, bread, and harissa became sites of colonial control, cultural resistance, and identity formation. This approach illuminates the intersection of environmental, economic, and cultural forces in Mediterranean colonial contexts. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent thematic focus on colonial North Africa's social history, with recurring analysis of alcohol systems, food economies, and material culture. The work shows sophisticated methodological integration of environmental history, economic anthropology, and postcolonial theory, particularly examining how colonial policies reshaped local consumption patterns and production systems across Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. Znaien actively contributes to academic infrastructure through research leadership and peer review. He coordinated a €30,000 Foundation for Research on Alcoholism project (2014-2019) on 'Alcohol under the French Empire,' participated in ERC's TARICA project (2017-2020) analyzing post-Arab Spring North Africa, and contributed to the French 'Bourgeon Project' (2017-2019) on Muslim world alcohol histories. He serves on scientific boards for L'Année du Maghreb and the Digital Encyclopedia of European History, while reviewing for journals including Journal of Medical History and Journal of North African Studies. As head of the Maghreb Field of Expertise team at CNMS, Znaien directs research on contemporary North African societies while maintaining strong connections to Tunisian academic networks through his editorial roles and ongoing historiographical analyses of post-revolutionary Tunisia.
Dr. Jianbei Huang is a Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany, within the Department of Biogeochemical Processes (BGP). His research focuses on understanding mechanisms driving plant-soil carbon cycling, particularly in dryland ecosystems and plant allocation strategies. Key areas include how environmental stresses like drought affect carbon partitioning, tree defense mechanisms, and ecosystem resilience. His work integrates field experiments, isotopic labeling (e.g., 13C, 14C), and advanced analytical techniques (e.g., LC/GC-MS, PTR-MS) to study carbon dynamics, secondary metabolites, and BVOC emissions. Collaborations with Prof. Susan Trumbore and Prof. Sönke Zaehle highlight interdisciplinary approaches to model ecosystem responses under climate change. Research themes emphasize trade-offs between growth, carbon storage, and defense in trees, as well as the impact of extreme climate events on vegetation and soil carbon. Current opportunities include postdoc and PhD positions on dryland forest ecology and carbon-water relations in changing climates. Affiliations: Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (Jena, Germany) Labs/Teams: Dryland Ecosystem Processes Group, Plant Allocation Research Notable projects include investigating Mediterranean forest responses to drought, carbon storage prioritization in spruce trees, and modeling tree defense against bark beetles in drying environments.
Wiebke Kirleis is Professor for Environmental Archaeology and Archaeobotany at the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU). She has held this position since May 2014 and was previously a junior professor at the same university from 2008 to 2014. She is actively involved in major interdisciplinary research projects, including the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS and the Collaborative Research Centre 1266 'Scales of Transformation', where she serves as co-speaker and technical platform speaker. PhD in Natural Sciences, University of Göttingen (2002) Diploma in Biology, University of Göttingen (1998) Studies in Botany, Anthropology, and Environmental History, University of Göttingen (1990–1998) Wiebke Kirleis' research centers on the interaction between humans and plants during the late Pleistocene and Holocene, with a focus on plant economy, domestication, agricultural development, and landscape transformation. Her work explores how wild and cultivated plants were used for nutrition, ritual, and technical purposes, and how agricultural innovations such as ploughing and manuring impacted Central European landscapes. She has a strong geographical focus on Northern and Central Germany, Southeastern Europe, the Near and Middle East, and Southeast and East Asia, particularly Indonesia. Her methodological expertise includes archaeobotany (analysis of charred and waterlogged plant remains), palynology (pollen and spore analysis from sediment cores), and anthracology (study of charcoal remains). Her recent research includes studies on broomcorn millet diffusion, early farming in Scandinavia and Russia, and plant use in Bronze Age settlements across Europe and Turkey. She leads and collaborates on numerous interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing the integration of botanical data into broader archaeological narratives. Her publications reflect a consistent trend in environmental archaeology, focusing on plant domestication, agricultural transitions, and human-induced landscape change. Keywords across her recent work include archaeobotany, palynology, Neolithic and Bronze Age subsistence, and environmental reconstruction. Her research spans subfields such as food security, cultural transmission of plant use, early monumentality, and socio-economic aspects of prehistoric agriculture. Board member, Cluster of Excellence ROOTS Co-speaker, CRC 1266 'Scales of Transformation' Speaker, ROOTS Technical Platform Board member, Johanna-Mestorf-Akademie Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Dithmarschen Stone Age Park (since 2023) Full member, German Archaeological Institute (DAI) Elected member, Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures (KAAK) Wiebke Kirleis has supervised numerous research projects funded by the DFG and other agencies, including the Graduate School 'Human Development in Landscapes'. She has advised students and collaborated internationally with institutions in Italy, Norway, Indonesia, and Australia. Her leadership roles in academic self-administration include serving on planning, budget, and equality committees at CAU Kiel. She is committed to science communication, having launched the digital exhibition 'Alles bleibt anders' and produced educational films on archaeobotany. She is also involved in mentoring female postdocs through the via:mento program. She leads the archaeobotanical component in the 'Superfood' module of the SFB 1266 digital exhibition and is actively involved in the ROOTS Cluster’s Subcluster 'Dietary ROOTS'. Her lab and research team operate within the Institute for Pre- and Protohistory, contributing to the university’s strong focus on interdisciplinary landscape archaeology.
Prof. Dr. Julia Bechteler is a leading researcher in plant systematics and evolutionary biology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) since 2024. Her work bridges molecular phylogenetics, ecological transcriptomics, and biogeography with a focus on non-vascular plants and desert flora. Current affiliations: Professor for Plant Phylogenomics and Systematics at LMU Past affiliations: Junior-Professor at RPTU (2023-2024), substitution professor at University of Bonn (2022-2023) Her research centers on two major areas: Arid habitat adaptation – Using transcriptomic and genomic analyses of desert plants like Loasaceae and Cucurbitaceae in the Atacama and Namib Deserts through projects DFG CRC1211 B07: Desert transcriptomics and BMBF FRAMe . Bryophyte evolution – Studying phylogenetic patterns and ecological transitions in epiphytic liverworts (Metzgeriaceae, Lejeuneaceae) through integrative taxonomy and molecular systematics. Article trends show strong focus on: Evolutionary mechanisms in arid environments Phylogenomic dating of bryophyte lineages Biogeographic patterns in tropical and desert plants Fossil record analysis using amber-preserved specimens She actively trains students in molecular biodiversity research, trait evolution analysis, and environmental interaction studies, maintaining a lab group with researchers working on cultivation protocols and phylogenetic analyses.
Dr. Julia Carina Böttcher is a research associate in the field of scientific reflection at ZIWIS (Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Wissenschaftsforschung) at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. She holds a habilitation from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (2025) and is a member of the Leopoldina Center for Science Studies project group. Her work bridges the history of science, early modern history, and the interplay between natural science and politics. PhD in History of Science (University of Regensburg, 2017) Habilitation in History of Science (LMU Munich, 2025) Researcher at University of Regensburg and LMU Munich post-2017 Her research focuses on observation practices during 18th-century exploration trips, academic communities (e.g., Leopoldina Academy), and the political behavior of scholars . Key themes include elite identity formation, bodily practices, and the institutional dynamics of scientific networking. She is currently concluding her DFG-funded project on The Politics of Networking (2020–2023) and will serve as interim professor for History of Science at LMU Munich in 2025. Her 15 most recent publications (2024–2019) analyze collection practices, scientific communities, and the cultural history of expeditions. Articles span topics from 18th-century anatomical research to Enlightenment botanical enthusiasm, often emphasizing methodological innovation and institutional interplay. She is an alumna of the Young Research Fellows program at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and maintains active collaborations in international research networks. Her work has contributed to re-evaluating the Leopoldina Academy's role as a strategic scholarly collective in early modern Europe.
Dr. Thomas Spallek is a Junior Group Leader leading the Plant Biotic Interactions Group at Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. His research focuses on functional genetics of parasitic plants, interspecific signaling, and haustoria formation mechanisms. Previously, he held roles as Project Leader (2019–2022) and Postdoc (2018–2019) at the University of Hohenheim, with postdoctoral experience at RIKEN (Japan) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (UK). Education: PhD in Plant Biology (Max Planck Institute, Cologne, 2011), Diploma in Biology (University of Konstanz, 2008). Research Interests: Parasitic plant genetics and host interactions Cytokinin signaling in plant-pathogen relationships Cellular and molecular mechanisms of haustorium development Publications span plant-parasite signaling, hormonal regulation, and genomic studies of parasitic weeds. Notable collaborations include work on Striga asiatica genome analysis and cytokinin-driven virulence factors. He is affiliated with the International Research Training Group 2172 - PRoTECT and coordinates the Plant Biotic Interactions research group. His work integrates molecular genetics, bioimaging, and computational tools to dissect plant defense and parasitic strategies.
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine ResearchGermany
Professor Bela Buck is a Marine Biologist and Head of the Unit for Marine Aquaculture within the Shelf Sea System Ecology department at the Alfred Wegener Institute. He also holds a professorship for Applied Marine Biology at the University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven, has the right to award doctorates at the University of Bremen, and serves as an Affiliated Professor at Klaipeda University. His leadership extends to chairing the ICES Working Group on Open Ocean Aquaculture (WGOOA). Professor Buck's research focuses on applied marine biology and maritime technologies , with particular expertise in offshore and exposed aquaculture systems . His work addresses critical challenges in multi-use of offshore wind farms , shellfish and seaweed cultivation , culture techniques and system design , and site selection for marine aquaculture operations. His research bridges biological sciences, engineering, and policy development to advance sustainable marine resource utilization. An analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a clear trend toward standardizing terminology and metrics for exposed aquaculture environments, developing integrated multi-use platforms combining renewable energy infrastructure with aquaculture, and optimizing cultivation techniques for shellfish and seaweed. His work increasingly addresses sustainability challenges, focusing on circular economy principles, resource efficiency, and climate change adaptation in marine food production systems. Professor Buck leads the AWI-Working Group 'Marine Aquaculture' and collaborates extensively with international research teams across Europe and beyond. His work has significant implications for marine spatial planning, sustainable food production, and blue economy development. He maintains strong connections with both academic institutions and industry partners to ensure practical applications of research findings. His laboratory and field work focuses on developing and testing aquaculture systems for exposed environments, with particular emphasis on site assessment methodologies, structural design for high-energy marine environments, and optimizing cultivation protocols for various marine species. The research group maintains close ties with offshore energy developers, aquaculture operators, and policy makers to ensure research addresses real-world challenges.
PD Dr. Tobias Delfs is a Visiting Professor at the Chair for Cultures and Societies of South Asia at Humboldt University during the 2024/25 winter semester . Previously, he was a Research Associate (2018-2024) in the DFG-funded Modern India in German Archives (MIDA) project and a Researcher (2015-2018) in the DFG project on Nathaniel Wallich's botanical network . He holds a habilitation (2023/24) on German botanists' role in 19th-century South Asian imperialism . Education: Studied Medieval/Modern History, Political Science, and Sociology at Kiel University; PhD (2017) on Deviance in the Halle Mission at the University of Zurich Research Stays: Serampore College (India), Archive of the Francke Foundations (Halle), and funded by Fritz Thyssen Fellowship Fields of Interest include imperial/global history , modern South Asian history , history of knowledge , environmental history , and colonial natural science . His 2022-2024 publications focus on German botanical imperialism , missionary knowledge transfer , and colonial alcohol debates . Scientific Awards: Fritz Thyssen Fellowship Collaborative Projects include co-editing Benjamin Schultze's Dialogue Book on Madras and South Asia Chronicle 12 . He contributes to postcolonial historiography , missionary deviance studies , and imperial scientific networks .
Dr. Ataru Sotomura is a Senior Lecturer in the Chair of East Asian Cultural History at the University of Würzburg's Philosophische Fakultät. His research focuses on East Asian art history, particularly Buddhist iconography, garden design, urban planning, and cultural transfer between India, China, Korea, and Japan. He has held visiting positions at Kyoto University and the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken). Notable awards include the Hamada Seiryo Award (2017). His work bridges historical texts (e.g., Buddhist sūtras, garden treatises) and material culture, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Education: B.A. (Kyoto University, 1983), M.A. (Kyoto University, 1986), Ph.D. (Kyoto University, 1994). He has held scholarships from Rotary International, the Dutch government, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Recent projects include leading the DFG-funded study on 'Transformation of Invisible Entities in East Asian Art and Archaeology' (2021–2022). Research Interests: Buddhist cosmology, East Asian capital city designs, historical musical instruments (e.g., biwa lutes), and the cultural symbolism of gardens. His publications span monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and collaborative edited volumes, often exploring how visible/invisible entities shape religious and artistic expression. Grants & Leadership: 2019–2022: Team Leader of 'Interdisciplinary Study on Visible/Invisible Entities in East Asian Arts'; 2021–2022: DFG Project Leader on 'Invisible Entities in East Asian Traditions'. Active in international workshops and bilateral German-Japanese collaborations. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Kyoto University's Institute for Research in Humanities and Würzburg's East Asian Sinology program, contributing to interdisciplinary research networks in cultural history.
Tanita Schmidt is a Researcher in Early Modern History at the University of Kassel's Department of Early Modern History, where she has served as a research assistant since 2018 while completing her dissertation on natural research as religious practice (1750-1830). Education: Master of Arts in European History, University of Kassel (2018) Bachelor of Arts in History and Art History, University of Kassel (2018) Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Studies, Freie Universität Berlin (2013) Her research examines cultural and knowledge production in the Early Modern period through visual/material cultures, sensory history, and disability studies. She investigates how 18th-century nature-human relationships were shaped by religious frameworks, bodily perceptions, and scientific observation, bridging history of science with cultural and religious studies. Recent publications reveal a cohesive focus on Enlightenment-era entomology and knowledge formation, analyzing how visual culture, material practices, and religious contexts transformed sensory experiences into scientific understanding. Her work consistently explores intersections between observation, belief systems, and knowledge validation in natural history. Scientific Awards: Dr. Liselotte Kirchner scholarship (2024) for research at Francke Foundations, Halle As a PhD candidate, Schmidt has not supervised formal advisees but has secured competitive research funding. Her 2024 scholarship enabled primary source analysis at Francke Foundations, supporting her dissertation's investigation of sensory dimensions in natural philosophy. She actively collaborates within Kassel's Early Modern History research group, presenting at international venues including Goethe-University Frankfurt and Francke Foundations, while developing courses on scientific methodology and material culture.
