Top row: CoE Key Researchers Thomas Rattei, David Berry, CoE Postdoc Lucia Fuchslueger, and CoE Key Researcher Thilo Hofmann; Bottom row: CoE Key Researchers Wolfgang Wanek, Andreas Richter and CoE Director of Research Michael Wagner. Their published works rank among the top 1% most cited in their respective fields. © Ludwig Schedl/CeMESS
The celebrated researchers are:
Thomas Rattei, CoE Key Researcher and coordinator of Method Facility 10, covers a wide spectrum of topics from bioinformatics, genome and metagenome analysis, and systems biology.
David Berry, CoE Key Researcher and co-coordinator of Method Facility 1, focuses on the human microbiome and its role in host health, including early-life development, protection against pathogens, inflammation, and cancer.
Lucia Fuchslueger, CoE Postdoctoral Researcher in WP4.2, explores soil biogeochemistry, especially how microbes influence soil carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and plant interactions in the rhizosphere.
Thilo Hofmann, CoE Key Researcher and co-coordinator of Method Facility 2, researches the environmental impacts of emerging contaminants, including PFAS, as well as the fate of microplastics, plastic additives, and nanomaterials.
Wolfgang Wanek, CoE Key Researcher and coordinator of Method Facility 5, has made significant contributions to understanding plant-soil-microbe interactions.
Andreas Richter, CoE Key Researcher and Project 4 lead, focuses on the ecology of climate change, microbial soil ecology, plant-microbe interactions, and biogeochemical material cycles.
Michael Wagner, CoE Director of Research and Project 3 lead, specializes in nitrification, single-cell microbiology, and the microbiology of sponges and sewage treatment plants.
This commendation underscores more than just citation numbers; it reflects the profound impact these researchers have had on their respective fields. Their work advances understanding of microbiomes in medical and environmental systems and contributes to CoE Microplanet’s mission of addressing key challenges in planetary health through collaborative research and mentorship.