Curriculum Vitae
PRESENT POSITION
Postdoctoral research fellow at Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University
RESEARCH EXPERTISE / INTERESTS
Botany, Ecology, Invasion biology, Population biology & genetics, Biogeography, Conservation biology
QUALIFICATIONS
PhD. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology Halle, Germany. 2013. Thesis title: ‘Investigations on the invasion success of Ulmus pumila - A multi-continental survey’.
Diploma. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology Halle, Germany. 2008. Thesis title: ‘European origin of the invasive Rosa rubiginosa L. (Rosaceae) in Argentina - an analysis with microsatellite markers’.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral research fellow. Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 2014 – present. Main research projects: ‘Molecular ecology of invasive acacias: Implication for effective management’ and ‘Towards a revision of the invasive status of Eucalyptus species in South Africa’.
Research assistant. Leuphana University, Lueneburg, Germany. 2013-2014. Temporary position within the Innovation Incubator - Platform for Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Project title: ‘Projections of the current and future cultivation potential of Acrocomia aculeata in Latin America’.
Scientific assistant. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany. 2009. Annual deputyship parental leave.
ACADEMIC HONOURS
Postdoctoral Fellow Award for Exceptional Achievement. 2019. Awarded by Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
‘Luther Urkunde’. 2014. Certificate for outstanding achievements (i.e. doctoral degree with summa cum laude) awarded by Martin-Luther-University, Germany.
WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION
Evolutionary dynamics of tree invasions: drivers, dimensions and implications for management. 9th& 10th November 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Co-organizer.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis in South Africa – assessing its past, present and future. 16th March 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Co-organizer.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Honors module on ‘Global Change Biology’. Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University. 2018. Guest lecture.
3rdyears ‘Invasion Biology’ course.Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University. 2018. Guest lecture.
Course on 'Invasion ecology and management'. Within the environmental management training program for developing and emerging countries at CIPSEM, University Dresden, Germany. 2015. Teaching assignment.
Seminar 'Introduction to statistics in R'. Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany. 2012 & 2014. Teaching assignments.
Basic practicum in ecology. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany. 2011 & 2012. Teaching assignments.
Botanical excursions for students. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology, Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany. 2009-2011 & 2013.
Seminar 'Introduction to statistics in R'. Martin-Luther-University, Institute of Biology. 2009 & 2011. Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany. Teaching together with other researchers.
INTERNSHIP GUIDANCE
Matthias Hartmann. 2011-2012. Research group internship: ‘Comparison of the leaf morphology in native and invasive Ulmus pumila populations’.
Catherina Wypior. 2011-2012. Research group internship: ‘Genetic diversity of Salvia pratensis in connection with population size’.
Jenny Klatt. 2011. Research group internship: ‘Analysis of soil parameters in Ulmus pumila populations’.
THESIS CO-SUPERVISION
Assistance in co-supervision of a PhD (C. Mabin) and MSc (K. Stephens) thesis. 2018. Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University.
Carolin Kleindienst. 2011. Bachelor thesis: ‘Native origin of invasive Ulmus pumila populations in North America and Argentina’.
Matthias Hartmann. 2010-2011. Bachelor thesis: “Comparison of genetic diversity and structure between native and invasive populations of Ulmus pumila L.”.
Catherina Wypior. 2010-2011. Bachelor thesis: “Hydrochory and germination performance in native and invasive Ulmus pumila populations”.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Several oral presentations at international conferences and several scientific publications in renown international journals.
Guest editor of AoB PLANTS. Compilation of the special issue ‘Evolutionary dynamics of tree invasions’.
Reviewer for: AoB PLANTS, Basis and Applied Ecology, Biologia, Biological Control, Biological Invasions, Environmental Management, Flora, Forest Ecosystems, Journal of Ecology, Molecular Ecology, PLOS ONE, Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, Scientific Reports, Tree Genetics & Genomes.
PhD thesis examiner.