Research

My main interest lies on the investigation of biodiversity in general with a focus on vertebrate organisms. While I seek to expand my horizon of global vertebrate diversity constantly, my Phd work aims at characterizing the native Austrian fauna by means of genetic barcoding, setting up a reference database and optimizing necessary workflows, as well as mastering modern instruments (Keyence Digital Microscope) for the investigation of thus far unresolved taxonomic groups or cryptic diversity. In my work I apply various, mainly molecular methodologies (classic Sanger and next generation sequencing) to study species delimitation, speciation, cryptic diversity, but also phylogeographics and phylogenetics. Due to cooperation with several dear colleagues, I am also able to peek at other groups of animals like African cichlids, ectoparasitic Monogenean Gyrodactylus or Adriatic triplefins (Tripterygion tripteronotus) and involve myself in population genetics and species radiation events.


Interests, internships and foreign exchange studies:

•    Research field assistant at Etosha Rand Lion Conservation project in Namibia from April 2016 till June 2016
•    Since September 2014: Contributing to ABOL (Austrian Barcode of Life) in terms of acquiring samples of vertebrate species, scorpionflies and dragonflies, managing sample lists and storage, sampling specimens, generating barcodes, attending national meetings including poster presentations