CV
I'm a German-Italian vegetation ecologist and PhD student at the University of Oxford studying ecological restoration of mountain ecosystems like the Andes. For my PhD I use satellite data to monitor ecosystem recovery and socio-ecological methods with the goal of developing restoration and conservation interventions backed by the best possible science.
As a triathlete, and former German national team rower I am exceptionally driven, diligent and hard working and bring these virtues to the academic and professional world.
PhD in Geography & the Environment,
University of Oxford
2020-2023
Doctoral degree as part of the Ecosystems Lab and Disturbance ecology Lab. Research on tropical mountain restoration and satellite techniques and social methods for restoration.
Thesis title 'Revisiting the science and practice of ecosystem restoration in tropical mountains'
MPhil in Biodiversity, Conservation & Management,
University of Oxford
2018-2020
Two-year international research master spanning knowledge of biodiversity science, conservation governance & technologies to global change and ecosystem science.
Master thesis 'Conservation and functional ecology of mountain ecosystems in South America'
BSc Ecology & Environmental Planning,
TU Berlin
2014-2018
Four-year bachelor degree focused on environmental science and conservation in Germany. Specialisation on climatology, meteorology, modelling and plant sciences.
Bachelor thesis 'How do urban grasslands respond to the urban heat island?'
Scholarships & awards
2014-2022
Rhodes Scholarship
Twofold award of Sir Peter Elworthy Grant for environmental research
Deutschlandstipendium
Sporthilfe Deutsche Bank Stipendium
Research projects
Restoration of high altitude forests in the Peruvian Andes
Socio-ecological research on the barriers and success factors for restoration of mountain forests in the High Andes. For this research I work with multiple NGOs, government actors and communities and use interviews to elucidate on how to best restore these threatened ecosystems.
Functional ecology in the mountains of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Study of the functional assembly and stress-tolerance of trees growing in tree islands amidst grasslands above the tree line. What traits, strategies and trade-offs do they exhibit and what does it mean for their response to climate change?
Skills & engagements
Teaching
Teaching assistant on Master in Biodiversity, Conservation & Management
Teaching of various geography field courses
Teaching of online seminars on remote sensing and GIS
Applied ecology
Soil and vegetation cartography
Hydrological and climatological measurements
Carbon cycle measurements
Functional trait assessments
Restoration ecology
Ecological modelling
Remote sensing theory & practice
Satellite data analysis in R, ArcGIS, QGIS and Google Earth Engine
Statistical modelling in R Studio
Planning
Geoinformation Systems (ArcGIS, QGIS) for environmental planning
Knowledge of German landscape planning and international environmental impact assessment procedures
Outreach
2022: Poster presentation at the European Tropical Biology conference in Montpellier
2021: Presentation at the Oxford Germany Society Graduate Research Symposium.
2021: Guest editor for Restoration Ecology special feature 'Young voices in the UN Decade of restoration'
2021: Symposium organisation and presentation at the Annual Conference of the Association of Tropical Biology (ATBC) on 'A roadmap for restoration in tropical mountains'
2021: Oxford School of Climate Change, Presentation on 'Ecosystem restoration in tropical mountains in the light of climate change'
2021: Tropical Forest Coffee Series, Presentation on 'Functional ecology of tree islands in the Atlantic forest'
Languages
Fluent in German, Italian, English and French and Spanish
Good knowledge of Portuguese