Forschungsinteressen
I am studying the evolution of dietary shift in insects and the role of venoms in this context. Venom has evolved multiple times independently in insects and fulfills different functions, including prey capture, extra-oral digestion and defense. My aim is to decipher the relationship between the composition and activity of salivary/venom proteins and the ecological niche occupied, e.g. dietary habits. My research focuses mainly on true bugs, but also includes other groups with neglected venomous species.
I am currently offering projects for master's theses! Please contact me if you are interested.
Vita
CV
- Postdoc, since 2024, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
- Postdoc, 2023 - 2024, Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena
- PhD in Ecology, 2019 - 2023, Department of Entomology, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena
- Dissertation: "Drugs from bugs: Venomics of predatory Heteroptera"
- MSc. in Crop Sciences, 2016 - 2019. University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart
- BSc. in Agricultural Biology, 2012 - 2016. University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart
Awards
2021: IMPRS presentation award for best poster at the 20th IMPRS Symposium: "A bug's secrets - Characterization of venom from the African assassin bug Psytalla horrida”
2020: IMPRS presentation award for best talk at the 19th IMPRS Symposium: Venom deployment, composition and function in predatory Heteroptera