Profile
Abstract
I am a research associate in the human biology and primate cognition group at the Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute for Biology at Leipzig University. I am involved in the biology training of students of human medicine and dentistry.
My research focuses on the molecular and functional characterization of biogenic amine receptors of different arthropod species. In arthropods, biogenic amines and their receptors are involved in the modulation of exocrine secretion, the sensitivity of sensory systems, learning processes and division of labor in the honey bee colony. I am familiar with various behavioral pharmacological, physiological, and microscopical methods as well as biochemical, cell and molecular biological techniques.
Professional career
- since 10/2021
Research Associate, research group “Human Biology and Primate Cognition”, Faculty of Life Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig - 10/2020 - 03/2022
Visiting Professor for “Molecular Biological - Biochemical Processing Technology”, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig - 10/2018 - 09/2020
Research Associate (Visiting Professor for „Human Biology“), Institute for Biology, University of Leipzig - 10/2017 - 09/2018
Visiting Professor for “Animal Physiology”, Faculty of Biology, Philipps University of Marburg - 09/2014 - 02/2017
Visiting Professor for “Zoology”, Zoological Institute, University of Cologne - 06/2014 - 08/2014
Expert for ecotoxicological projects and Study Director at the company tier3 solutions GmbH, Leverkusen - 06/2011 - 05/2014
Deputy Director of the Bee Research Institute Oberursel, Goethe University Frankfurt - 04/2001 - 05/2011
Academic Associate with teaching engagements, research group “Animal Physiology”, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam - 11/1999 - 03/2001
Feodor Lynen Research Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, Department of Zoology, University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand) - 11/1994 - 10/1999
Research Assistant with teaching engagements, research group “Neurobiology”, Institute of Ecology and Biology, Technical University, Berlin
Education
- 08/1992 - 05/1997
Ph.D. student, research group “Neurobiology”, Institute of Ecology and Biology, Technical University, Berlin (08/1992 - 03/1995 supported by the “German National Academic Foundation”) - 10/1986 - 06/1991
Undergraduate Student (animal physiology/behavioral biology), Department of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin
The focus of my research work is in the field of aminergic signal transduction in various arthropods. My favorite experimental animal, the honey bee, serves as a model organism for studying the molecular basis of learning and memory as well as division of labor in insect societies. Biogenic amines and their receptors are operatively involved in the regulation of both phenomena.
In an ecotoxicological monitoring study, I analyzed possible effects of a realistic application of neonicotinoid seed-treated oilseed rape at the landscape level on development, performance, and health status of honey bee colonies (and other pollinators such as the buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris and the red mason bee Osmia bicornis).
Furthermore, I used salivary glands of various insects (flies and cockroaches) as an "organotypic model" with only a few well-characterized cell types to study the cellular effects of biogenic amines. Using salivary glands of the blow fly Calliphora vicina, we were able to gain fundamental insights into the cellular effects of the “happiness hormone” serotonin, the regulation of the plasma membrane V-ATPase and the interactions between intracellular signaling pathways.
Biology for medical and dentistry students
- Lecture in biology for medical and dentistry students
- Practical course in biology for medical students