Dr. Katharina Ruthsatz

I am a biologist interested in (amphibian) physiology, endocrinology, and conservation. In particular, I investigate how global change might affect amphibian development, energy budgets, and survival. I am interested in how amphibians might cope with novel environments and challenges by exhibiting phenotypic plasticity.

In my research, I make use of various tools associated with conservation physiology such as measuring heart and metabolic rate, thermal tolerance and performance, acclimation capacity, body condition, and stress hormones. I am especially interested in endocrine disruptive effects of environmental stressors such as temperature variation and pollution. Thus, helping stressed amphibians is my mission.

In addition to my research, I am passionate about teaching students in the field of anatomy, physiology, ecology, and biostatistics at university. Proper academic education and supervision of students play an important role in my professional self-concept.

I did my PhD in the Dausmann Lab (Functional Ecology - Ecology & Energetics) at the University of Hamburg in Germany. After finishing my PhD, I was a PostDoc in the Ganzhorn Lab (Animal Ecology and Conservation) at the same place.

Currently, I am an assistant professor in the Vences Lab (Evolutionary Biology) at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. I am establishing my own working group Conservation Physiology and Ecotoxicology.

Being a biologist is more than just a job for me. I share my personal interests in and my knowledge of biological phenomena together with my research on my science blog. In my free time, I love to go hiking, running, or biking. But one can also find me drawing or walking my adopted dog Stina.