Onychophorans or “velvet worms” have long been of interest to scientists around the world. Most zoologists currently agree that the onychophorans are close relatives to the arthropods, which constitute the largest and arguably most diverse animal “phylum”. Despite a widespread interest amongst both biologists and the general public, there are relatively few scientists worldwide researching the velvet worms. My aim is therefore to attain a detailed knowledge of morphology, embryology, taxonomy and natural history of Onychophora since this animal group is of pivotal importance for understanding the evolution of arthropods.

2001 Diploma, University of Bielefeld, Germany

2005 PhD, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

1999 - 2001: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes,
German National Merit Foundation (Student Fellowship)

2002 - 2005: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes,
German National Merit Foundation (PhD Fellowship)

2002 - 2006: German Research Foundation
(DFG: Ba 1520/8-2, Ru 358/4-2)

2007 - 2009: German Research Foundation
(Research Fellowship, DFG: Ma 4147/1-1)

2009: German Research Foundation
(Return Fellowship, DFG: Ma 4147/2-1)

2010 - onwards: Research Group Leader supported by the
Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation
(DFG: Ma 4147/3-1), an equivalent of the German "Habilitation"

Memberships