Complexity and Data Science for Sustainability
My lab conducts research at the intersection of complexity science, data science, and sustainability, aiming to understand and model interconnected socio-ecological and technological systems in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We develop and apply mathematical models, computational methods and tools from statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, time series analysis, machine learning algorithms and network theory to analyze complex, real-world challenges characterized by feedback loops, tipping points, and multi-scale interactions.
A central focus of our research is the study of infectious disease dynamics within the framework of the disease ecology and One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health (particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being). Our projects address topics such as complex contagion dynamics, food-web interactions, and biodiversity and ecosystem stability (SDG 14: Life Below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land).
In addition, we investigate critical transitions, resilience, and tipping points in infrastructure and socio-technical systems, and their implications for public health, sustainability, and societal stability. Representative projects include Detecting Critical Transitions in Wastewater Systems, Mobility Patterns and Behavioral Responses During Epidemics, and Opinion Dynamics and Polarization in Social Systems.
We aim to further expand our research toward integrated, data-driven solutions for environmental and societal resilience. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world data analysis, our goal is to generate actionable insights that inform policy, strengthen system robustness, and contribute to sustainable development. Recently started projects include: Regional greenhouse-gas monitoring and growth analysis using multi-satellite observations (SDG 13: Climate Action) and multilinguality and knowledge equity in Wikipedia (SDG 4: Quality Education).
Selected research grants and fellowships awarded (PI:=Principal Investigator):
co-PI: SRH connects, ( ~550K€, 36m), DAAD – UAS.International Program Grant, 2026-2028.
PI: Eigene Stelle grant (GH 176/1-3, idonate, 345463468, ~139.8 K€, 18m), DFG, 2020-2022.
PI: Eigene Stelle grant (GH 176/1-1, idonate, 345463468, ~182 K€, 24m), DFG, 2017-2019.
PI: Post-Doc-Förderung Fellowship (~ 85 K€) by TU Berlin 2016.
PI: Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship (GOIPD/2015/277, ~92 K€) by IRC, 2015-2017
Selected peer reviewed publications
Nature Physics 11, 936–940 (2015)
(Nature) npj Complexity 2, 26 (2025)
(Nature) Communications Physics 7, 55 (2024)
(Nature) Scientific Reports 2019; 9: 6463 (2019)
(Nature) Scientific Reports 2025:15, 5809 (2025)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 188701 (2011)
PLoS ONE 17(10):e0276969 (2022)
Phys. Rev. E 105, 034311 (2022)
Phys. Rev. E 105, 034308 (2022)
PLoS ONE 16(7): e0253563 (2021)
Phys. Rev. E, 104, 014313 (2021)
Royal Soc. Open Science 7 (1), 2054-5703 (2020)
Phys. Rev. E 100, 062308 (2019)
Phys. Rev. E 100, 012307 (2019)
Frontiers in Physics, V 5, P 46 (2017)
New J. Phys. 19, 103041 (2017)
Phys. Rev. E 93, 042316 (2016)
J. R. Soc. Interface vol 11, no 101 (2014)
EPL 104 (2013) 50001 (2013)
EPL 99, 58006 (2012)
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