Group Leader
Interim Prof. Dr. Laura Hagemann
Email: lhageman@uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 30426
Room: 01 222
Interested in evolutionary processes shaping the species diversity we see today, I am combining field work, laboratory techniques and computational approaches. During my PhD at the MPI for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, I focused on group dynamics in western lowland gorillas. For studying their population stability, I collected non-invasive genetic samples in Loango National Park in Gabon. Spending time in their natural habitat has increased my fascination with wild populations and my awareness of the need for effective conservation measures. In addition to my focus on non-human primates, I am also interested in studying other taxa in view of speciation processes, population genetics, phylogeography and conservation genetics. Currently, I am involved in projects on the phylogeography of Sulawesi tarsiers (small nocturnal primates), on genomic structural changes in the evolution of parasitic helminths and on the genetic basis of desert adaptation in tenebrionid beetles.
Group Leader Anthropology & Evolutionary Biology
Email: herlyn[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 23179
Room: 01 212
Administrative Management
Jennifer Grossmann
Email: jgrossm[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 27802
Room: 01 236
Postdocs
Dr. Camille-Sophie Cozzarolo
Email: ccozzaro[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 24180
Room: 01 237
I am an evolutionary ecologist fascinated by host-parasite interactions. During my PhD thesis at the University of Lausanne, I combined field approaches, including the monitoring of wild great tit populations, and lab experiments with canaries to assess the effects of avian malaria parasites on bird fitness, as well as their interactions with mosquitoes, their vectors. As a horror movie enthusiast, I was naturally hooked by the research field focused on host manipulation by parasites. My first postdoc at the University of Burgundy aimed at investigating whether behavioral manipulation by a thorny-headed worm involves alterations of the amphipod host’s cognitive abilities.
My current project at JGU is about developmental stage- and sex-dependent differential gene expression in another thorny-headed worm.
Dr. Miguel Camacho Sanchez
Email: micamach[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 31679
Room: 01 242
I am an evolutionary and conservation biologist specializing in genetics and genomics to study wildlife populations of mammals, and the diversification and distribution of mammal species. During my PhD, I investigated the diversification of several rodent species in Sundaland, Southeast Asia. I am passionate about fieldwork, data science, data visualization, and reproducible research.
Additionally, I have worked with Iberian amphibians and soil biodiversity using metabarcoding techniques.
At JGU, I joined the project to study the phylogeography of Sulawesi tarsiers. I used genome-wide data to describe their spatial genetic diversity, explore their demographic history, and examine the timing and extent of hybridization between different species.
Personal webpage: https://miguelcamachosanchez.weebly.com/
Technical assistants
Claudia Lennartz
Email: lennartz[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 24115
Room: 01 248
Katja Stetzer
Email: stetzer[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 21934
Room: 01 237
Laboratory assistants
Kristina Krippes
Email: krippesk[at]uni-mainz.de
Phone: +49 6131 39 21934
Room: 01 237
Bachelor students
no current bachelor students
Interns
no current interns
Alumni
Dr. Thomas Morgan
Elif Nadja Öden (B.Sc.)
For my Bachelor’s thesis, I analysed data from metabarcoded gorilla faecal samples to investigate the occurrence of eukaryotic parasites in two groups of western lowland gorillas. The aim was to characterise parasite diversity and assess whether host variables, such as age or sex, were associated with infection patterns. Temporal dynamics of parasite occurrence were visualised and analysed using R.
Clara Elisabeth Scholl (B.Sc.)
In my Bachelor's thesis, I created a standardized database to record the morphology of tarsiers using specimens from museum collections. Particular emphasis was placed on investigating the morphological relationship between Tarsius pelengensis and Tarsius dentatus.
I also assisted with courses and laboratory work as a student assistant at the institute.
Anna Catharina Neuhaus genannt Wever
During my internship, I developed a standardized database of tarsier morphology by integrating and digitizing morphological data from multiple publications.
Frida Johanna Schehr (B.Sc.)
In my Bachelor’s thesis, I worked with DNA from Tarsius pelengensis, building on existing research on Sulawesi tarsier diversity. By generating new genetic data for this species, I aimed to resolve its phylogenetic placement within the Sulawesi tarsier clade and assess patterns of gene flow relevant to its taxonomic relationships, particularly with geographically proximate species.
Hibba de Noor (B.Sc.)
For my Bachelor’s thesis, I analyzed DNA extracted from skin tissue samples of Tarsius pelengensis specimens obtained from museum collections. My aim was to generate genetic data for T. pelengensis and investigate its phylogenetic position and taxonomic relationships within the Sulawesi tarsier clade.
Timo van der Valk (M.Sc.)
For my Master's thesis, I compared the proteomes and transcriptomes of cement gland tissue from acanthocephalan species. My thesis was titled „Proteom- und Transkriptom-basierte Analysen des postkopulatorisch sezernierten Zements männlicher Kratzwürmer“.
I also worked as a student assistant at the institute and assisted with the laboratory courses.
Nora Berthold (B.Sc.)
In my Bachelor’s thesis, I analyzed parasitic DNA extracted from fecal samples of western lowland gorillas in Gabon. My aim was to identify which samples were best suited for detecting parasites. The ultimate goal was to discover whether the parasite composition differed between various social groups of gorillas and whether the parasite composition of gorillas that switched groups changed over time.
Hannah Heidelmeyer (B.Sc.)