Here, I would like to present some information about me and my work. This page summarizes the content of my website. A complete english version may be available in the future.
Scientist
As a molecular biologist, my research focuses primarily on forest trees. I am interested in the genetic and molecular basis of their resilience to drought, which is becoming increasingly important in the context of climate change. I also study the molecular mechanisms of gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas.
Speaker
I speak and discuss my research topics at a variety of events, such as conferences, fairs, and seminars—always in a passionate, comprehensible, and professional manner. I also give others a chance to speak—as a moderator at academic events.
Scifluencer
I give information about my research, plant adaptation to climate change, genome editing, and other topics in plant science on science slam stages, on my Instagram channel, in podcasts or in YouTube videos.
My Research
From 2021 to 2026, I led the junior research group „Genetic Technologies“ at the Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics.
Since 2026, I am the interim professor for biology and ecology and group leader at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg.
Climate adaptation of forest trees
Trees cannot simply leave their habitats; they must be able to survive the prevailing climatic conditions for several decades or even centuries. I am interested in the ecophysiological processes in forest trees as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress factors, and my research focuses on drought and salt stress tolerance in poplars.
CRISPR/Cas in trees
Together with my team, I am researching genome editing with CRISPR/Cas and how these techniques work in trees. Poplars are our model organisms. In addition, we are working on transferring CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing to other tree species.
We are exploring conventional CRISPR/Cas approaches as well as DNA-free and novel CRISPR variants, for example, gene targeting, CRISPRi by dCas, or nickase editing.
Additionally, I am interested in transformation and tissue culture systems.
If you would like to learn more about me and my work, I look forward to hearing from you, preferably by email!