2003-2009: Studies of Biology at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany with majors in botany, ecology, phytopathology and tropical ecology (Leipzig).
Diploma thesis on regeneration and establishment of six deciduous tree species in an old-growth, mixed beech forest (Regeneration und Etablierung von sechs mitteleuropäischen Laubbaumarten in einem „naturnahen“ Kalbbuchenwald im Nationalpark Hainich/Thüringen) at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry Jena, Germany.

Since 2010: Research fellow at the Thünen-Institute of Forest Genetics, Waldsieversdorf, Germany. My assignment is the improvement of growth performance and drought resistance of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). This project focuses on the physiological and metabolic drought-adaptation of highly productive clones. The project is funded by the German Agency for Renewable Resources.