GFZ German research centre for geo sciences

Prof. Dr. Dirk Wagner

Head
Prof. Dr. Dirk Wagner
Building A 71, Room 359 (Büro)
Telegrafenberg
14473 Potsdam

Function and Responsibilities:

Head of GFZ Section 3.7 "Geomicrobiology"

Professor of Geomicrobiology and Geobiology, University Potsdam

Research Interests:

  • Geomicrobiology in terrestrial ecosystems
  • Terrestrial carbon cycle
  • Geo-bio interactions
  • Deep Biosphere
  • Reaction and adaptation of microorganisms to changing environmental conditions
  • Isolation and characterisation of extremophilic microorganisms
  • Astrobiology

Career:

Since 2012
Head of the Section 3.7 Geomicrobiology, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences
and Professor of Geomicrobiology and Geobiology, Institute of Geosciences, University Potsdam

2009 - 2012
Privatdozent (Equivalent of Associate Professor), Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University Potsdam

2002 - 2012
Leader of the working group Geomicrobiology in Periglacial Regions, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar andMarine Research, Potsdam

1998 - 2001
Postdoc, BMBF project Russian German Cooperation System Laptev Sea 2000, University Hamburg und Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar andMarine Research, Potsdam

1994-1997
PhD student, BMBF project Trace Element Cycles, University Hamburg

Education:

2007
Habilitation in Microbial Ecology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University Potsdam

1994 - 1998
PhD in Soil Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science, University Hamburg

1987 - 1993
Study of Biology (Diploma), University Hamburg
Main subjects: Microbiology, Soil Science, Genetics/Molecular Biology

Projects:

  • GeoArchives: Coastal lagoons and continental lake sediments - Holocene climate-ecosystem archives (BMBF)
  • Microbial symbionts of Arctic peatlands and their relevance for present and future carbon and nitrogen cycling (HGF- Helmholtz International Research Group)
  • Methanosarcina soligelidi under simulated Mars conditions in space: Survival rates and
    biosignatures (BMWi/ESA)
  • Microbiological stabilization of the Earth's surface across a climate gradient (DFG SPP 1803)
  • Microbial-mediated soil formation under simulated environmental conditions in maritime Antarctica (DFG SPP 1158)
  • From single pioneers to complex communities: Simultaneous discrimination of composition and inferring species interactions of fossil as well as modern pro and eukaryotic microbial communities (DFG SPP 1158)
  • Microorganisms in Warming Arctic Environments (Marie Curie ITN)
  • Limits of microbial life in the Atacama desert

Research Boards and Committees:

  • Member of the Advisory Board "Environment" at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)
  • Founding member and treasurer of the German Astrobiological Society (DAbG)
  • Member of the Advisory Board of the German Society for Polar Research (DGP)
  • Editor-in-Chief of the book series 'Life in Extreme Environments', de Gruyter Publisher, Berlin
  • Editorial Board Member 'FEMS Microbiology Ecology'
  • Editorial Board Member 'Permafrost and Periglacial Processes'

Awards:

  • Founding Committee Member of the German Astrobiological Society (DAbG)
  • Member of the Steering Committee for ESF Planetary Protection for Mars Special Region Study

Scopus Author ID: 57205742129

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5064-497X

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