Motivation

Investigating aquatic communities and their interactions is an exciting field of work. The long migrations that tiny water fleas undertake in the early morning into the dark depths of the lake are a fascinating strategy to avoid being eaten by fish. Research has shown that water fleas can smell fish - so they migrate when fish are nearby. Coming from basic research, I have dedicated myself to applied topics in environmental research in the field of aquatic ecotoxicology and am now developing strategies for environmental monitoring to improve water quality. A challenge, because water is something completely different for everyone - fishermen, bathers, inland waterway skippers, farmers, industry or sewage treatment plant operators.