Where do you consider your hometown, and how has it influenced your path in science?
Home for me is my partner. So right now, that is in Etna, NH. I grew up in Berlin, Germany, did my bachelor's and master's degrees in Freiberg, Saxony, and my doctorate in Jena, Thuringia – both cities in eastern Germany, the former German Democratic Republic. All of these places still feel like home to me. They are international places, which has shaped my path in science. Studying in East Germany also meant being around friends and their families, some of whom had lived under a dictatorship and had to start all over again after German reunification. That means taking nothing for granted – this experience still has a big impact on me and my science, and I see parallels to the current situation here in the US.
Can you tell us about your current research at Dartmouth and what excites you most about it?
My research focuses on the carbon cycle in natural soil systems. In particular, I want to better understand how long carbon remains below ground before it is respired by microbes, and what are the controlling factors on soil carbon persistence. My regional focus is on sub-Saharan Africa, as this region is still largely understudied and poorly represented in global studies. I have also done research in the Amazon Basin in Brazil, and more recently work here in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. What excites me most about my work is that almost all life depends on soils – 95 % of the food we eat comes from soils – yet there are still so many processes in soils that we do not understand. And I get to explore some of those processes.
What is your academic background? Where did you complete your graduate studies, and what led you to pursue a postdoc?
During my bachelor and master studies, I studied earth system science (geoecology in German) at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF). For my PhD I went to the Max-Planck-Institute for biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany, where I obtained a joint degree with the ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Until my PhD, I was not sure if I wanted to pursue a career in science – I did not even really know what it meant. During my PhD, I realized how much fun science is and decided to follow the scientific path and do a postdoc abroad – which I am really enjoying so far.
What inspired you to pursue a postdoc position at Dartmouth?
The opportunity to gain experience abroad, to be at a small academic institution, and the independence that comes with my Neukom Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Your recent publication in Biogeochemistry explores global patterns in soil carbon and metal interactions. What are the key takeaways from this work?
The study, "Moisture and soil depth govern relationships between soil organic carbon and oxalate-extractable metals at the global scale," sheds light on the complex relationship between soil organic carbon, soil moisture, and carbon-binding metals at the global scale. We compiled over 37,000 soil horizon measurements to better understand the drivers of organo-mineral interactions that are also critical to long-term carbon sequestration efforts. We found that moisture is more important than temperature, and that the role of reactive minerals in forming organo-mineral interactions varies with depth. These findings have implications also for modeling efforts, which still lack a good representation of organo-mineral interactions at the global scale.
What was the most exciting or surprising discovery you made during this project?
International collaborations take time and can be very fruitful, even beyond a specific project. On the scientific side, I was most surprised to discover that there are already so many measurements of oxalate-extractable metals, since one of the arguments for not using them in models was that there was not enough data. And that the role of reactive metals in forming organo-mineral interactions holds across climate zones.
What advice would you give to those currently pursuing their PhDs about making the most of their time at Dartmouth?
Do not stress yourself too much about the future. You will be fine and you will find your role and your way in the world out there. Trust yourself for making the right decision and try to live in the here and now.
What are your career goals after your postdoc?
Continue and expand my research and start my own research group.
For prospective postdocs considering Dartmouth, what would you say are the biggest benefits of being part of this community?
There is a lot of financial support to conduct your own research and to develop your own ideas to become an independent scientist.
Beyond research, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in the Upper Valley?
The outdoors! Hiking, swimming, kayaking, snow shoeing, and many more.
