I’m a biologist by training, currently pursuing my PhD in the Functional Morphology group at the University of Antwerp in Belgium under the supervision of Prof. Sam Van Wassenbergh.

In my PhD, I explore how small granivorous songbirds move their beak while processing and cracking seeds.

I’m a bird enthusiast and share fascinating bird science stories in my newsletter Beaks & Bones.

Besides, I’m also passionate nature artist and photographer.

Short CV:

Education and Academic Studies

10/2014-04/2018
Master of Science (M.Sc.) ”Organismic Biology and Evolution”; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; final grade: 1.0 (very good)
10/2011-12/2014
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), “Biophysics”; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; final grade: 1.7 (good)
07/2011
Abitur; Winckelmann-Gymnasium Stendal; final grade: 1.0 (very good)

Work Experience

since 02/2020
PhD student at the University of Antwerp, group Functional Morphology (promoter: Prof. Sam Van Wassenbergh)
05/2018-01/2020
Follow-up publications; parental leave
11/2017-04/2018
Master thesis: ’Bone Microstructure in Finite Element Modeling: The Functional Role of Trabeculae in the Femoral Head of Sciurus vulgaris’ under the supervision of Prof. John A. Nyakatura (‘Comparative Zoology group’), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
04/2017-12/2017
Student assistant in the group ’Comparative Zoology’ (John A. Nyakatura, Humboldt-University Berlin)
10/2016-03/2017
Lab project in the group ’Comparative Zoology’ (John A. Nyakatura, Humboldt-University Berlin), project: ‘Inner Bone Microstructure in Sciuromorph Femora’
03/2014-10/2014
Lab project and Bachelor thesis in the group ’Molecular Biophysics’ (group leader: Prof. Andreas Herrmann), Humboldt-University Berlin