Staff

Function and Responsibilities:

Senior scientist, working group leader: 3D integration of geological and geophysical data 

Research Interests:

I am interested in how lithology and physical conditions - such as pressure and temperature - vary in the subsurface and how they affect the physical state and evolution of the lithosphere in different tectonic settings worldwide. For this, I advance our methods for efficiently integrating diverse geological and geophysical datasets - including borehole, seismic, seismological and potential field data - into consistent 3D subsurface models that capture spatial variations in rock physical properties. This is essential for assessing the region-specific drivers and control factors of thermo-hydraulic-mechanical processes, both in the present and the past. Building on my early research in laboratory-derived rock physical properties and field-based structural geology, my current work in data-driven 3D modelling aims to shed light on, for example: (i) heat transport mechanisms from reservoir to lithospheric scale and their effects on geothermal potentials, and; (ii) relations between long-term strength variations of the lithosphere, strain localization and the present-day distribution of active deformation (like seismicity).

Career:

2015-present: senior scientist at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences 
2019-2020: maternal leave 
2016-2017: guest research fellow (6 months) at the University of Melbourne, School of Earth Sciences 
2009-2015: postdoc at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences  
2005-2009: PhD candidate at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences 

Education:

2009: PhD in Geosciences, Freie University Berlin; doctoral thesis produced at the GFZ: „The Paleostress History of the Central European Basin System” 
2005: Diploma in Geosciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen; diploma thesis (in German): „Brandschäden an ausgewählten Naturwerksteinen“ in cooperation with Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung; diploma mapping thesis (in German): „Lithologische und strukturgeologische Diplom-Kartierung in der Sierra de San Luis, Argentinien“ 
2002: BSc in Geosciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen 
2001: Pre-diploma in Geology, Philipps-University Marburg 

Projects:

2025-2028 "ConvEx - Integrated exploration methods for the localization of hydrothermal convection as deep geothermal target structures", PI and co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the TU Berlin in the subproject "Local reservoir models and process simulations"

2024-2028: "The Doctoral Rift Science Network for the Energy Transition TALENTS" (https://www.talents-dn.eu/) funded by the EU (Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Doctoral Networks); PI and co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the University of Potsdam in the subproject "Thermo-mechanical stability of the Rhine Graben: geodynamic effects on fault criticality in a geothermally prospective rift system" 
2024-2027: "Seismicity distribution in the Central Andes", co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the Technical University of Berlin 
Since 2009: "IGMAS+ Interactive Gravity and Magnetic Application System" (https://igmas.git-pages.gfz-potsdam.de/igmas-pages/), software tester 

2019-2023: "3D North-East Atlantic"; collaborative project with the University of Oslo, partly funded through the HGF program "Advanced Earth System Modelling Capacity (ESM)" 
2021-2022: "Deep geothermal potentials of Berlin/Brandenburg based on 'Heat In Place' assessments", co-supervisor of a MSc student of RWTH Aachen 
2019-2022: "StRATEGy: Surface processes, Tectonics and Georesources: The Andean foreland basin of Argentina", PI in the second phase of this DFG funded International Research Training Group; co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of teh University of Potsdam in the subproject "Lithospheric-scale 3D configuration of the southern Central Andes and adjacent forelands (29°S-39°S)" 
2017-2019: "Integrated 3D structural, thermal, gravity and rheological modeling of the Alps and their forelands – INTEGRATE" as part of the DFG-SPP 2017 "MB4D Mountain-Building Processes in 4-Dimensions", PI 
2016-2020 "3D Marmara", in collaboration with the University of Potsdam, co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the University of Potsdam  
2016-2017: “Thermal and fluid flow modelling for the Sydney Basin” as part of the project “Basin GENESIS Hub – GeodyNamics and Evolution of SedImentary Systems” funded by the Australian Research Council, 6-months collaboration and research stay at the University of Melbourne 
2016-2019 “Hessen 3D 2.0” funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (coordinated by TU Darmstadt); PI and co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of RWTH Aachen in the "Subproject III: Subsurface temperature models of Hesse and reassessment of the deep and moderately deep geothermal potentials of Hesse“ 
2016-2018: "Magmatic development of the Jan Mayen - East Greenland corridor, NE Atlantic" in collaboration with the University of Oslo, subsidiary supervisor of a PhD candidate of the University of Oslo 
2015-2018: "StRATEGy: Surface processes, Tectonics and Georesources: The Andean foreland basin of Argentina"; PI in the first phase of this DFG funded International Research Training Group; co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the University of Potsdam in the subproject "3D lithosphere-scale density and thermal structure of the intracontinental Chaco-Paraná basin system in the northern Central Andes"; co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of the University of Buenos Aires  
2015-2017: "Basin Analysis and Petroleum System Characterisation of the Western Bredasdorp Basin (South Africa) - Insights from a 3D Crust-Scale Model" as part of the German-South African Earth System Research Initiative "Inkaba ye'Africa", co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of Stellenbosch University 
2014-2017: "Lithospheric strength variations across the Kenya Rift"; collaborative project with the University of Potsdam and University of Leicester; co-supervisor of a MSc student of the University of Potsdam 
2014-2017: "IMAGE: Integrated Methods for Advanced Geothermal Exploration" (EU grant agreement No: 608553); PI and WP leader; co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of RWTH Aachen in the subproject "Implications of the 3D structural and density configuration for the thermal and hydraulic fields of the Upper Rhine Graben" 
2013-2017: "Geothermal Heat for Urban Areas – Example of Berlin"; PI and co-supervisor of a MSc student of the University of Potsdam 
2013-2016: "A 3D lithosphere-scale model of the Barents Sea and Kara Sea region"; collaboration with the University of Oslo; co-supervisor of a PhD candidate of RWTH Aachen 
2009-2013: “Crustal-scale geological and thermal models of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin, Arctic Canada” as part of the programme MOM (Methane On the Move); PI 
2005-2009: PhD candidate in the DFG priority programme 1135 "Dynamics of complex sedimentary basins under varying stress conditions by example of the Central European Basin System“, working on the subproject “Palaeostress analysis in the Central European Basin System” 

Research Boards and Committees:

2012-2016: Representative of the GFZ equal opportunities officer