Prof. Dr. Philipp Schlüter is a Professor leading the Plant Evolutionary Biology research group at the University of Hohenheim's Faculty of Biology. His work focuses on understanding evolutionary mechanisms in plants, particularly orchids, with an emphasis on pollinator adaptation, floral evolution, and genomic analysis. Schlüter teaches courses including 'Das System der Pflanzen' and supervises research practicums in biological sciences. His recent publications (2023–2025) explore topics like orchid genome structures, pollinator-driven speciation, and applications of genomic techniques in non-model organisms. He actively contributes to plant biodiversity initiatives, such as herbarium digitization projects. No scientific awards or student advisees are explicitly listed in available texts.
Dr. Roberto Rozzi is a DFG-funded Postdoc Researcher at the Museum of Natural History Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research in Berlin, Germany. His work focuses on evolutionary patterns in insular mammals, particularly bovids, and integrating paleoecology with modern conservation strategies. Research Focus: Evolution and extinction of insular mammals across Mediterranean, Asian, and American islands Specialties: Plio-Pleistocene mammal taxonomy, biochronology, and the island rule Methodologies: Paleoenvironmental reconstruction, multiproxy analysis, and size variation studies Secondary Interests: Enhancement of natural history collections and interdisciplinary approaches to taxonomy His articles reveal a recurring emphasis on island biogeography , adaptive evolution , and ecological drivers like predatory release. Collaborations span global institutions, with publications in high-impact journals such as PNAS and Journal of Biogeography .
Dr. Panagiotis Theodorou is an Associate Professor at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, General Zoology. His research focuses on ecological and evolutionary processes across genes to ecosystems, particularly examining the impacts of global change on biodiversity and pollination services. His research interests include Insect Biodiversity Evolutionary Biology Plant-Pollinator Networks Host-Parasite Interactions Urban and Agricultural Ecology Analyzing the 15 most recent publications , his work spans genomics, pollination dynamics, urban ecology, and parasite effects on pollinators. Key methodologies include metabarcoding, RAD-sequencing, and network analysis. His scientific memberships include the Urban Eco Evo network, iDiv, and several ecological and evolutionary biology societies.
Dr. Daniela Perez is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany, affiliated with the Genes and Behavior lab. Her research focuses on the evolution of animal behaviors, particularly collective movements in nematodes and avian nest architecture. She combines theoretical and empirical approaches, leveraging global collaborations and macroevolutionary data. Education & Appointments: PhD in Evolution, Ecology & Genetics (2013–2017), Australian National University Postdoc at Max Planck Institute (2021–present) Research Interests: Evolution of sexual signals, extended phenotypes, and collective behavior. Current projects explore 3D collective phenomena in C. elegans and nest diversity in birds. Collaborations include studies on ant melanism and lekking dynamics. Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2023–2025) CAPES Young Talent Fellowship (2020) Best Poster at ASSAB Conference (2014) Grants & Teaching: Secured multiple grants including Holsworth Wildlife Endowment. Taught courses in behavioral ecology and macroevolution at ANU and Universidade Federal do Paraná. Labs/Teams: Active in the Serena Ding Research Group at MPI-AB, specializing in collective behavior and evolutionary mechanisms.
Dr. Emma Dunne is an Assistant Professor at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, based in the Department of Geography and Geosciences. Her research focuses on understanding how environmental, climatic, and socio-economic factors shape vertebrate biodiversity through deep time. She is particularly renowned for her work on fossil vertebrates, including dinosaurs and squamates, and her critical analyses of colonial legacies in paleontological research. Dunne co-leads the Pal(a)eoscientometrics Research Collective, addressing systemic biases in scientific practices. Her research integrates quantitative methods from paleobiology, phylogenetics, and ecology to explore large-scale evolutionary patterns. Notable projects include studies on climate-driven dinosaur evolution, sampling biases in the fossil record, and ethical challenges in global data equity. Dunne also advocates for inclusive academic publishing and field safety guidelines. Her work has been featured in high-impact journals like Nature Ecology & Evolution , Current Biology , and Paleobiology , and she actively contributes to public science communication through social media and outreach. Dunne serves on the executive committee of the Paleobiology Database, further emphasizing her commitment to advancing open science. Her advising spans topics from cetacean latitudinal diversity to morphological disparity in cave bears, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. She collaborates internationally, fostering equity in data access and challenging historical colonialist practices in paleontology.
Dr. Elizabeth Joyce is a Research Fellow at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, affiliated with the Faculty of Biology and the Department of Systematics, Biodiversity & Evolution of Plants. She works in the research group led by Prof. Kadereit, focusing on plant evolution and biogeography. Her work employs multi-scale approaches combining phylogenomic, phylogeographic, and floristic data to investigate Southeast Asian, New Guinean, and Australian flora dynamics, particularly the role of the Sunda-Sahul Floristic Exchange in shaping tropical diversity. She specializes in the angiosperm order Sapindales and dispersal syndromes impacting regional biogeography. Her research collaborations span institutions globally, including the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew/Sydney), James Cook University, and the University of São Paulo. She has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing phylogenetic frameworks, taxonomic revisions, and computational methods for resolving evolutionary conflicts in plant genomes. While not explicitly noted here, her work reflects strong engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of plant systematics. Key areas of expertise include genomic data analysis using tools like HybPhaser for hybrid detection, molecular phylogeography of disjunct plant species, and integrative approaches to species delimitation. Her recent studies highlight innovative methods for improving locus recovery in target capture datasets, advancing comparative phylogenomics across angiosperms.
Márton Rabi is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Tübingen, Germany, within the Faculty of Science. He is actively engaged in paleontological research and teaching, focusing on fossil reptiles and mammals from key Eocene fossil sites such as Geiseltal, Messel, and the Green River Formation. His work integrates systematics, divergence dating, and paleoecology to explore macroevolutionary patterns and their implications for conservation biology. Education: PhD in Geosciences (Palaeontology), University of Tübingen, Germany (2014) Diploma (M.S.) in Geology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary (2009) His research interests center on the evolutionary history, systematics, and biogeography of fossil reptiles—especially turtles and crocodylians—and mammals. He investigates how physical and biological factors drive macroevolution, using exceptionally preserved fossils to reconstruct phylogenies and paleoenvironments. His work often bridges paleontology with modern conservation efforts through the lens of 'conservation paleobiology.' The trends in his recent publications reveal a strong focus on the phylogeny and biogeographic history of Crocodylia and Testudines, with recurring themes in fossil Lagerstätten, divergence dating, and morphological evolution. He frequently employs total-evidence approaches and integrates fossil data with molecular datasets to refine evolutionary timelines. His work spans Europe, Asia, and North America, reflecting a broad geographic and taxonomic scope. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Marie Curie-Train2Move Research Fellowship VW Stiftung Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral project (as host and co-leader) Márton Rabi has supervised numerous MSc and PhD students and currently co-supervises several doctoral projects funded by the DFG and international institutions. He has secured significant research grants, including a DFG-funded project on early Crocodylia and collaborative work with the University of Turin. He is also involved in designing and hosting postdoctoral fellowships, demonstrating leadership in academic mentoring and research collaboration. He is affiliated with the Biogeology Workgroup at the University of Tübingen and maintains a guest researcher role at the Central Natural Science Collections, Martin-Luther University, Halle (Saale), Germany, where he continues collaborative research on Cenozoic reptiles.
Dr. Margarita Yavorskaya serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates at the Institute of Evolution and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Tübingen since 2020, following a Postdoctoral position at Ludwig Maximillian University Munich (2018-2020). Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Zoology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2014-2018): "Evolution of head structures in Coleoptera with special emphasis on the feeding apparatus and miniaturized forms" Diploma in Zoology, Biological Faculty of Lomonosov State University (2009-2014): "Mouthparts of hooded beetles (Coleoptera: Corylophidae) with regards to miniaturization" Her research centers on evolutionary morphology of arthropods , with particular focus on size-shape evolution and miniaturization effects in invertebrates. Key investigations encompass cephalic structure evolution in Coleoptera, feeding preference adaptations in beetle larvae/adults, and anatomical studies of minute crustaceans (Chydoridae). She integrates advanced methodologies including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and 3D reconstruction from histological sections and MicroCT datasets to analyze morphological adaptations at microscopic scales. Publication analysis (2017-2023) reveals consistent specialization in beetle morphology, particularly examining head anatomy evolution across diverse families (Ptiliidae, Micromalthidae, Staphylinidae) and miniaturization constraints. Her work bridges paleontological assessments of early beetles (e.g., Coleopsis archaica) with contemporary studies of commensal adaptations (Platypsyllus castoris) and structural diversity in leaf-litter predators, demonstrating methodological innovation through Reflectance Transformation Imaging and 3D reconstruction techniques. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Dr. Yavorskaya teaches Zoology (Bio122), Microscopic Imaging and 3D Reconstruction (Bio-3187), and Micro- & Macroevolution courses, though specific student advisement or grant details remain unreported. Her research contributes to the "Competence network Biomimetics" and "Colourful Meadow" Initiative through morphological analyses with potential biomimetic applications. She operates within the Department of Evolutionary Biology of Invertebrates utilizing specialized microscopy facilities for investigations into arthropod miniaturization, collaborating on projects examining structural adaptations across evolutionary timescales from fossil lineages to contemporary micro-crustaceans.
Karen Meusemann is a researcher at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), affiliated with the Museum Koenig Bonn and Museum der Natur Hamburg. She contributes to the Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research (zmb), focusing on phylogenomics, molecular systematics, and evolutionary biology. Her interdisciplinary work bridges genomics, taxonomy, and biodiversity conservation. Her research explores molecular evolution in diverse taxa, including insects, fish, and fungi. Key interests include phylogenetic methods, hybridization impacts, adaptive radiation, and host-pathogen coevolution. She employs transcriptomics, comparative genomics, and bioinformatic tools to resolve evolutionary patterns and address biodiversity crises. Meusemann co-leads projects like 1KITE (1K Insect Transcriptome Evolution) and collaborates on global initiatives such as BugNet. Her publications emphasize methodological innovations in phylogenetics and biodiversity monitoring, with recent work highlighting dietary shifts in beetles and introgression in ricefishes.
Mélanie Debiais-Thibaud is a Professor at the University of Montpellier's Faculty of Sciences, where she co-directs the Department of Biology-Ecology. She is an active member of the Macroevolution and Development Team and the EXAAQT Shared Platform – Aquatic Animal Experimentation , focusing on vertebrate skeletal evolution. Her research explores evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) through the lens of shark embryogenesis. Key investigations include: Genomic and cellular mechanisms behind skeletal tissue diversity Morphogenetic processes in the small-spotted catshark ( Scyliorhinus canicula ) Evolutionary origins of vertebrate skeletal systems dating back 450 million years Her work is characterized by keywords: EvoDevo, Shark, Skeleton, Morphogenesis . She teaches core courses in embryology, genetics, and zoology across undergraduate and graduate programs. In administrative roles, she co-directs the Biology-Ecology teaching department and contributes to the EXAAQT aquaculture platform's steering committee.
Andrew Helmstetter is a Non-permanent Researcher at the Institute of Evolutionary Science of Montpellier (ISEM), part of the University of Montpellier, where he works in the Evolution and Demography Team. His research examines the origins of plant diversity through phylogenetics, macroevolutionary models, and genomic approaches. Helmstetter's work spans: Evolution of plant breeding systems and reproductive strategies Climate change impacts on tropical forests Conservation genomics of endangered species Real-time DNA sequencing for species identification Speciation mechanisms in diverse plant groups He actively collaborates with international teams including researchers from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, French biodiversity institutes, and African conservation initiatives.
Fabrice Lihoreau is a Professor at the University of Montpellier and a key member of the Paleontology Team at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM). His research leverages fossil data to study mammalian evolution, with specialization in artiodactyls, phylogeny, and macroevolutionary patterns. Research Focus: He employs comparative anatomy, paleobiological analysis, and fieldwork (Africa/Europe) to investigate: Origin and diversification of hippopotamids Paraphyly of anthracotheres Artiodactyl radiation during Eocene hyperthermal events Teaching: He lectures on metazoan diversity, anatomy, and macroevolution. He co-developed the BEE Master’s in paleontology—a rare French program training students in fossil analysis and evolutionary theory. Affiliations: His work is anchored at ISEM, a multidisciplinary institute (partnering with CNRS, IRD, EPHE, CIRAD, INRAP) dedicated to biodiversity and evolutionary research.
