John Nassour is a Researcher at the Technical University of Munich's School of Computation, Information and Technology, affiliated with the Chair of Cognitive Systems. He holds engineering degrees from Tishreen University (electronics), a Master's in intelligent systems from University of Cergy-Pontoise/École Nationale Supérieure de l'Électronique, and a joint PhD from University of Versailles/TUM. His interdisciplinary research focuses on computational cognitive systems applied to robotics, including wearable devices, humanoid robots, soft robotics, and robot learning for locomotion/manipulation. Before joining TUM in 2020, he was a lecturer/researcher at Chemnitz University of Technology. He teaches courses in cognitive systems, neuro-inspired engineering, and soft robotics.
Olaf Ronneberger is an associate professor at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and works at Google DeepMind . His research focuses on deep learning architectures , AI applications to scientific problems , and protein structure prediction . He leads seminars on deep learning and 3D image analysis, emphasizing vision-language integration and generative models. His publications include foundational work on U-Net architectures for biomedical image segmentation, AlphaFold 3 for biomolecular interaction prediction, and Gemini models for multimodal AI systems. Key subfields span medical imaging , protein folding , and vision-language models . Co-developer of U-Net , a widely used biomedical image segmentation framework. Contributor to AlphaFold 3 for structural biology. Research on Gemini 1.5/2.5 models for multimodal reasoning.
Prof. Morten Hvitfeldt Iversen is a leading researcher in Polar Biological Oceanography at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). He serves as Section Head of the Polar Biological Oceanography department and leads the bridging group 'SeaPump' collaborating with University of Bremen and MARUM. His work focuses on organic matter production, export, and transformation in oceans, linking small-scale microbial processes to large-scale biogeochemical cycles in high-latitude regions. Iversen pioneers optical techniques to study marine aggregates and their role in the biological carbon pump. Research interests include Arctic and Antarctic carbon dynamics, microbial ecology, and the impact of climate change on ocean systems. He leads projects like the 'SeaPump' initiative and contributes to the 6.3 sub-topic 'The future of the biological pump' under POF IV. His work integrates field observations, mooring data, and satellite measurements to understand carbon fluxes and their climate feedbacks. Recent articles highlight his focus on Arctic carbon sinks, microplastic impacts, and zooplankton roles in the biological pump. Iversen actively participates in expeditions aboard the Polarstern and uses advanced optical tools to study particle dynamics. His contributions bridge experimental and observational science to address global climate challenges.
Prof. Dr. Holger Kantz serves as Head of the research unit "Nonlinear Dynamics and Time Series analysis" at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, Germany. He also holds an Adjunct Professorship (Honorprofessor) in Statistical Physics at the Institute of Theoretical Physics within the Department of Physics at the Technical University Dresden. Dr. Kantz's research spans multiple disciplines within nonlinear dynamics and statistical physics. His work focuses on time series analysis, nonlinear dynamics, stochastic processes, and complex systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding anomalous diffusion, extreme events prediction, and the statistical properties of chaotic systems. His research has applications in atmospheric science, climate modeling, power grid dynamics, and biological systems. Analysis of Dr. Kantz's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach connecting statistical physics with climate science, energy systems, and scientometrics. His work demonstrates sophisticated applications of stochastic modeling to real-world complex systems, with particular attention to anomalous diffusion processes, extreme events, and predictability limits in chaotic systems. The publications show increasing methodological sophistication in handling nonstationary time series and developing predictive models for rare events. Dr. Kantz leads a research group focused on nonlinear dynamics and time series analysis at the Max Planck Institute. His work has significant implications for understanding and predicting complex phenomena across multiple scientific domains, from climate dynamics to power grid stability, with practical applications in risk assessment and system reliability.
Thomas Berger is a Professor at the University of Hohenheim , affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and leading the Department of Economics of Land Use . He also contributes to the Computational Science Hub and Hohenheim Tropics initiatives. Focus Areas: Climate change adaptation, land-use modeling, biodiversity-productivity trade-offs, agent-based simulation, and machine learning in agricultural systems. Key Projects: Simulation frameworks for smallholder resilience in Ethiopia, bioeconomic modeling in the Amazon, and hybrid intelligence applications in European agricultural policy. Recent Publications: 2025 study on climate change effects on insecticide reduction in Germany, 2024 work on reconciling biodiversity with productivity via hybrid models, and 2023 methodological contributions to surrogate modeling and seasonal forecast integration. Research Trends: Interdisciplinary integration of climate science, agricultural economics, and computational modeling, with increasing emphasis on AI-assisted decision support systems and sustainability policy validation. Teaching & Outreach: Offers Agricultural Economics seminars and Hohenheim Tropics discussions, requiring advance email registration for office hours.
Prof. Dr. Rudolf Amann serves as Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, and leads the Department of Molecular Ecology. His work pioneers molecular methods for studying marine microorganisms, with a focus on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify and quantify microbial cells. Managing Director, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (since 2018) Department Head, Molecular Ecology Research Center, Bremen, Germany Research Interests: Marine microbial diversity and ecology Carbon cycle dynamics in coastal and deep-sea environments Phytoplankton-bacterioplankton interactions Microbial taxonomy and phylogenetics Single-cell identification techniques (FISH, CARD-FISH) Integration of metagenomics and proteomics Publication Trends: Recent work focuses on microbial interactions in extreme environments (hydrothermal vents, Arctic waters), carbohydrate cycling in oceanic systems, and ecological differentiation of bacterial populations through advanced imaging and omics technologies. Contact: ramann@mpi-bremen.de
Prof. Dr. Michael Bosnjak leads the Department for Psychological Research Methods at the University of Trier, Germany, focusing on research synthesis methods, theory-driven machine learning, survey methodology, and experimental designs applied to personality psychology (HEXACO model), consumer behavior, and public health. His team includes Dr. Henning Silber (GESIS), Dr. Bernd Weiß (GESIS), and international collaborators at Utrecht University. Affiliation: University of Trier (Department of Psychology) Editorial Roles: Zeitschrift für Psychologie (Editorial Board), Social Science Computer Review (Associate Editor), Frontiers in Psychology (Review Editorial Board) Grants: DFG SFB 884 (co-applicant), DFG Project PaCO (2019-2024, principle investigator), BMBF-funded GESIS Panel Campus His recent publications analyze panel conditioning effects in longitudinal studies, e-commerce privacy dynamics, personality-trait interactions, and psychosis proneness measurement. Scientific awards include the 2016 BMBF infrastructure grant, 2011 Isaac Manasseh Meyer Fellowship, and 2003 Karin Islinger Award. Current projects address data quality in probability-based and opt-in panels, with experimental designs across eight groups testing measurement error mechanisms. He serves as a co-editor for multiple special issues on survey methodology and tourism psychology.
Christian von Scheve is a Professor of Sociology and Head of the Department of Sociology of Emotions at Freie Universität Berlin. He also serves on the board of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1171 'Affective Societies' and is a Research Fellow at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). His academic journey includes positions as a Research Professor at DIW Berlin (2011-2014), Junior Professor at Freie Universität Berlin (2008-2014), and Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna (2007-2008). His research examines the interplay between culture, social structures, and emotions, with emphasis on: The social/cultural constitution of emotions and affective experiences Emotional dimensions of economic action Human/non-human social interaction He employs diverse methodologies including surveys, interviews, and experiments. His recent publications (2022-2025) predominantly explore affective polarization , refugee integration , and the role of emotions in political discourse, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches spanning sociology, neuroscience, and political science. A consistent theme is how emotions shape social cohesion and conflict in contemporary societies. He holds key editorial roles including Co-Editor of Soziale Welt , Associate Editor of Emotion Review , and Editorial Board positions for multiple book series on affective societies and emotion research. He actively advises Master's students, requiring thesis proposals to be submitted six weeks before registration deadlines. His research is embedded in collaborative projects like SFB 1171 'Affective Societies' and the 'Social Cohesion and Civil Society' initiative.
Professor Dörthe Tetzlaff is a leading figure in ecohydrology, serving as Head of Department (A1) Ecohydrology at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and as Full Professor of Ecohydrology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Geography Department. She also holds an Honorary Professorship at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Her work bridges theoretical hydrology with practical applications for water security and environmental management. Professor Tetzlaff's research focuses on ecohydrological processes, particularly using stable water isotopes to understand water cycling, catchment functioning, and landscape connectivity. Her work spans from pristine natural systems to complex urban environments, with particular emphasis on drought resilience, water security, and nature-based solutions. She has pioneered tracer-aided modeling approaches to quantify water storage, fluxes, and ages across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Her publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated integration of multi-tracer approaches with ecohydrological modeling, with recent work focusing on urban systems, drought impacts, and nature-based solutions. The publications demonstrate expertise across hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecological applications, with strong methodological development in isotope hydrology and modeling techniques. Polubarinova-Kochina Hydrologic Sciences Mid-Career Award of the American Geophysical Union AGU (2024) Water Resource Prize of the Rüdiger Kurt Bode Foundation (2024) Member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2023) Fellow of The European Academy of Sciences (2022) Fellow of the Geological Society of America GSA (2020) Professor Tetzlaff actively supervises numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with her group focusing on cutting-edge ecohydrological research. She leads multiple significant research projects including WETSCAPES2.0, ECCO, ISO-SCALE, and BiNatUr, which address critical questions about water security, climate change impacts, and nature-based solutions in urban environments. Her work is supported by substantial funding from various national and international sources. She leads the Ecohydrology research group at both IGB and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, which employs an integrative approach combining field measurements, isotope techniques, and advanced modeling to understand water dynamics across diverse landscapes. The group collaborates extensively with international partners across Europe, North America, and Asia, contributing to global understanding of hydrological processes.
Prof. Dr. Clarissa Vierke is a specialist in Swahili Language and Literature at the University of Bayreuth , with a focus on literary connections across the Indian Ocean and African continent. She was awarded the German National Merit Foundation scholarship during her studies in African Languages, Social Anthropology, and Literatures in African Languages at Bayreuth and Leiden. Academic Degrees : Doctorate in African Studies (2010, Bayreuth), Studies in African Studies (1999-2005, Bayreuth/Leiden) Her research spans historical Swahili manuscripts (18th-19th century), contemporary poetry (hiphop, newspaper poetry), and aesthetic practices that examine how poetic form shapes lifeworlds. She leads the project Poetry as Aesthetic Practice (Madagascar/Tanzania) and contributes to manuscript studies and decolonial aesthetics . Recent publications include co-edited volumes on African Artistic Practices (2024), Decolonial Aesthetics (2023), and Travelling Texts (2020). She serves on editorial boards for journals like Matatu and Swahili Forum . Scientific Awards : Wissenschaftspreis (University of Bayreuth, 2012), Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz-Prize (DFG, 2012) Prof. Vierke is Chairperson of the Afrophone Caucus of the African Literature Association (2015–present) and organizes the annual Swahili Colloquium . Her work bridges precolonial and contemporary Swahili traditions, emphasizing textual mobility and multilingual contexts .
Dr. Benjamin Pontiller is a researcher at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany, within the Marine Biogeochemistry Research Division and Biological Oceanography Research Unit . His work focuses on microbial carbon cycling in marine environments, particularly the role of bacterioplankton in transforming dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Current projects: INDICOM, ICEBERG, HOMER, BIOCAT Recent expeditions: RV SONNE (Indian Ocean 2024), RV POLARSTERN (Arctic 2024), RV METEOR (Atlantic 2022) His research integrates omics technologies with chemical and rate measurements to understand microbial functional potential in: Coastal upwelling systems Deep Arctic Ocean (HAUSGARTEN) Baltic Sea phage dynamics Trace metal impacts on microbial communities Education: PhD in Ecology (Marine Microbial Ecology) - Linnaeus University 2021 MSc in Ecology (Marine Biology) - University of Vienna 2015 BSc in Biology - University of Vienna 2013
Professor Georg Guggenberger is a distinguished academic at Leibniz University Hannover, where he serves as Professor of Soil Chemistry within the Department of Soil Science at the Institute of Earth System Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he holds several significant administrative positions including Vice Dean for Research in the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Executive Management at both the Institute of Soil Science and Department of Soil Science levels, and Chair of the Selection Committee for the M.Sc. Landscape Sciences program. Prof. Guggenberger's research program focuses on fundamental processes governing soil organic matter dynamics across diverse ecosystems worldwide, from Arctic to tropical regions. His work investigates biotic and abiotic factors influencing the formation, transport, and stabilization of soil organic matter, with particular emphasis on soil fertility maintenance. He employs advanced methodologies including stable isotope approaches, biomarker analyses, microspectroscopic techniques (XPS, ESEM, NMR, NanoSIMS), and molecular biological methods to study biogeochemical interactions on mineral surfaces, dissolved organic matter dynamics, plant-mycorrhizal-soil interactions, permafrost soil organic matter, and impacts of land use and climate change on soil organisms. Analysis of Prof. Guggenberger's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary research program spanning soil biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, soil microbiology, and climate change impacts. His work integrates field experiments along environmental gradients with laboratory manipulation studies to identify underlying mechanisms. The research shows particular strength in understanding organic matter stabilization mechanisms, microbial contributions to soil processes, and development of sustainable soil management practices that address climate change challenges. Prof. Guggenberger actively contributes to academic service through his leadership roles in examination boards and committees, including the Examination Board for Geosciences programs and the Selection Committee for Landscape Sciences. His administrative responsibilities as Vice Dean for Research demonstrate his commitment to advancing research within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Leibniz University Hannover.
Anna Sanpera Trigueros is a Research Professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and affiliated with the Department of Physics. Since 2005, she has been an ICREA research professor, contributing to quantum information theory and related fields. Education: PhD in Physics from UAB (1992) Postdoctoral Experience: Oxford University, CEA-Saclay, Leibniz University Her research spans Quantum Information , focusing on: Entanglement theory Quantum phase transitions Quantum neural networks Open quantum systems Recent publications highlight trends in quantum simulation, multi-partite entanglement, and hybrid quantum technologies. Key keywords include Quantum Information , Condensed Matter , and Quantum Optics . She actively engages in science popularization and education, mentoring PhD, master's, and TFG students. Her work intersects theoretical physics, quantum computing, and experimental validation through collaborations.
Prof. Melanie Schienle is a Professor and Chair of Statistical Methods and Econometrics at the Department of Economics and Management, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). She also holds a professorship in the Department of Mathematics at KIT since 2021. Her expertise spans statistical methods, econometrics, financial risk analysis, and forecasting. She leads the HKMetrics Network and the RespiNow Hub for respiratory disease forecasting. She serves as a Senior Fellow at the Rimini Center for Economic Analysis (RCEA), a steering committee member of the German Economic Association, and a member of the University Research Council at KIT. Education: Ph.D. (Dr. rer. pol.) in Economics from Mannheim University (2008), summa cum laude; Diploma in Mathematics (University of Karlsruhe, 2003) with a minor in theoretical physics. She has held academic positions at Leibniz University Hannover (2012–2015) and Humboldt University of Berlin (2008–2012). Research interests focus on financial networks, systemic risk, time series analysis, and machine learning applications in economics. She co-leads projects on nowcasting and forecasting, including collaborative efforts during the pandemic to predict hospitalizations. Her work integrates advanced statistical techniques with real-world policy implications. Prof. Schienle is an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Forecasting and Journal of Time Series Analysis . She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to high-impact journals like Nature Communications and Journal of Business & Economic Statistics . She leads the Institute of Statistics at KIT and chairs the MathSEE initiative for interdisciplinary mathematical applications.
Prof. Dr. Ralf Merz serves as Head of the Department of Catchment Hydrology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and holds a Full Professorship in Catchment Hydrology at Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg since 2011. His career bridges hydrological modeling, flood risk assessment, and water quality analysis across diverse climates from Central Asia to Europe. MSc in Civil Engineering (Technical University of Karlsruhe, 1997) PhD in Hydrology (Vienna University of Technology, 2002) Habilitation in Hydrology (Vienna University of Technology, 2009) Research Interests span comparative hydrology, flood generation mechanisms, climate change impacts on water resources, and nitrate dynamics in river systems. His work emphasizes process-based understanding of runoff events and regional flood modeling through innovative approaches like the PHEV distribution framework. Scientific Contributions include over 100 publications (2003-2025) on: Flood frequency analysis in changing climates Groundwater recharge in arid regions Hydrochemical response to droughts Remote sensing applications for groundwater studies Multi-response calibration of hydrological models Key projects involve MOSES observatory development, TRACER research school, and Pamir Mountains glaciological studies. Recognitions : APART research grant (Austrian Academy of Sciences, 2006) Leadership extends to directing the Catchment Hydrology department and participating in European hydrological networks like the Bode Hydrological Observatory and TERENO infrastructure. His methodological advancements include flood time-scale analysis and event runoff coefficient regionalization.
