Main Focus

I am studying the evolution and function of insect venoms. 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.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • 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

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