My main scientific interest focuses on various aspects of the evolution and diversity of protists. My own studies on the morphology and morphogenesis of several ciliate taxa revealed distinct characters which helped to elucidate the phylogeny of this group of protists. I applied several microscopy techniques, for example light microscopic observation of living cells, silver staining and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. 

Such investigations could not be carried out without culturing the selected protists. Therefore, we have been keeping various cultures of protists and lower invertebrates for decades, for use in research and teaching. Since 2001 I have been in charge of this culture collection, which comprises about 100 strains of heterotrophic and autotrophic protists (flagellates, rhizopods and ciliates), some lower algae and various lower invertebrates (cnidarians, flat worms and crustaceans). To some extent these cultures can also be supplied to scientific and educational organisations.

I am also in charge of our field station in Bad Buchau at the Federsee. The Federsee is a lake with large surrounding moorlands located about 80 km southeast of Tübingen (LINK). The Federsee station offers facilities for accommodation, laboratory work and teaching. 

Based on my experience in the fields of protistology and electron microscopy, my activities are now focussing more and more on teaching. I teach undergraduate und graduate students in electron microscopy (lectures and practicals), and the evolution and diversity of protists (practicals and excursions). The main part of my teaching is a first year course in Zoology (lecture and practical), where we cover the anatomy and taxonomy of a broad spectrum of species from protists to higher vertebrates.