My current research focuses on all aspects of aquatic ecology, with a particular interest into biological invasions. I am particularly interested in the ecology of non-native fish species and interactions among non-native species. Moreover, I am interested in fisheries ecology, aquaculture, and biological conservation.
Positions
08/2025 – current Marie S. Curie PostDoctoral Fellowship
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University,
United Kingdom
12/2018 – 11/2024: PostDoctoral Research
Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt
(Supervised by Prof. Peter Haase)
02/2019 – current: Research affiliate
Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of
Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia,
01/2023 – current: Guest researcher
Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics,
Gulf University for Science and Technology, Hawally, Kuwait
Education & Employment History
a) University career
10/2015 – 10/2018: PhD Position in the Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) Aquainvad-ED
Degree: Doctor Europeaus [Dr. ric.]; “Laude with highest honours”
Topic: “Assessing the impact of invasive species on recipient freshwater communities”.
Awarded: 13.03.2019
10/2008 - 11/2014: Diplom Studium Biologie at the University of Kassel
Pre-diplom (BSc): Grade 2.4 “good“
Diploma (MSc): Grade 1.3 “very good”
Topic: “Biogeographic analysis of the distribution of Thaumaleids in Europe using molecular marker”
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Wagner / Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kutschera
Core themes: Limnology, Plantphysiology, Botany, Animalphysiology
Awarded: 17.11.2014
b) Work experience
09/2016 – 11/2016: Secondment placement at ECOHYDROS s.r.l. in Maliaño, Spain
12/2014 – 07/2015: Research assistant, University Kassel, Department of Limnology and Zoology
09/2013 – 11/2013: Museum of Natural Sciences Ottoneum in Kassel
06/2013 – 08/2013: HLUG; Hessian State Office for Geology and Environment, Kassel
Research Grants, Awards & Funding
2025: i) Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, European Commission, Project: DIRECT (Grant No. 101203662, 24 months, €276,187.92)
ii) University of South Bohemia; Deans award for the largest publication activity in 2024
2024: i) University of South Bohemia; Deans award for the largest publication activity in 2023
2023: ii) Tübitak (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) 2221; Visiting researcher grant; Scientist Support Program
(1.000€)
iii) DAAD Conference funding to visit the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) in Halifax, Canada
2022: i) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie e.V. Travel grant to attend the 2nd InvaCost workshop on the costs of invasive Species in
Marrakesh, Marokko
2021: i) Winner of the Francesca Gherardi Memorial Award for crustacean behavior and biology of invasive alien species (5,000€)
2020: i) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie e.V. Travel grant to attend the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS)
in Osteende, Belgium
2019: i) DAAD Conference funding to visit the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) in Montreal, Canada
2015: i) Ph.D. fellowship of the Marie S. Curie International Training Network “Aquainvad-ED”
Key Notes
11/2023: Workshop “The Regional Issue of Invasive Non-native Species in the Czech Republic and Germany” organized by the
German Embassy in Prague
11/2023: Thematic workshops for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on “Inland Fisheries Management and
Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation”.
05/2023: Center for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics, Kuwait; Excellence in Higher Education forum:
“Structuring workflow and collaborations with international colleagues in a globalized world.”
10/2022: The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry; TERIAS – Addressing of Invasive Alien Species Threats in Terrestrial Areas and
Inland Waters in Turkey: The InvaCost project – From giving birth to the first public database on the costs of invasive alien
species to growing a global network of invasion biologists.
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Professional and Editorial Activities
Memberships: i) Conference Committee The International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS) (since 2021)
ii) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie (since 2020)
Editor: i) Science of the Total Environment (since 2023)
Research Skills
Field Experience: Survey sampling; Field work under harsh conditions; Sampling with hand nets and traps for invertebrates and amphibians;
field techniques for ichthyology (electrofishing; fyke netting, trapping)
Laboratory Skills: Data sampling for morphological studies, diet analysis, identification of several groups;
design and execution of experimental studies; microscopy.
Data Analysis: R; statistical model assumptions, selections and predictions; long-term data analysis; isotope analysis incl. mixing models;
Community analysis
Interpersonal Skills: Leadership and Management skills; supervision of students and teamwork- but also efficiency-oriented work.
Teaching, Supervision, and Mentoring​
Ph.D.: i) Ismael A. Soto
ii) Selma de Donnová
iii) Neil Abreo (current)
MS.c.: i) Jana Mademann
ii) Julian Enß
iii) Francesco Tiroci
iv) Ivan Fribbi
v) Martina Azzin
iv) Mathieu Toutain
BS.c.: i) Theresa Stoltefaut
ii) Gwendaline Le Hen
