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