Research Statement
I studied marine biology at Kiel University. During my diploma and PhD, I specialized on distribution patterns, ecology and life history traits of Arctic marine zooplankton. My current research deals with ocean acidification and warming effects on thecosome pteropods (pelagic snails, so-called �sea butterflies�) in the Arctic during different phases of their life cycle. Ocean acidification will hit the Arctic Ocean first and strongest. Additionally, global warming will be most pronounced in the Arctic. Since sub-saturation for calcium carbonate will first occur during winter, I currently focus on response effects of overwintering pteropods, i.e. calcification, dissolution, metabolic response and energetic trade-offs.
