Since 2009, I have worked as a freelance science writer and editor for radio, print and online media, in German, English and Dutch. Most of my stories cover the fields of chemistry, health or environment/conservation.
- References:
- Education:
Diploma and PhD in Chemistry
preliminary examination in Medicine scholarship in science journalism (hands-on training) - Awards:
"Nature" travel grant to attend
Scholarship from the International Journalists' Programmes to work in the Netherlands with
Meat in Switzerland is pricey, but does everyone benefit?In Switzerland, meat costs more than anywhere else. This alone doesn't ensure animal welfare or fair conditions for farmers and workers. Yet there are reasons why the country's meat industry could set an example.
Deutsche Welle, August 2020
Do fuels made from plastic make eco sense?Several companies have come up with pilot plants to convert plastic waste into crude oil, diesel or other fuels. It is sold as a way to get rid of trash and help the environment. But is it?
Deutsche Welle, May 2020
Are cities Europe's new biodiversity hotspots?While rummaging through part of Amsterdam's city park, citizen scientists discovered new insect species. Their aim was to show that even in Earth's busiest places, biodiversity is still underexplored.
Deutsche Welle, March 2020
Living Planet: New species in Amsterdam's city parkWith a population of more than 800,000 people, Amsterdam is the Netherlands most populous city. It also receives over 4 million international visitors and 16 million day-trippers each year. So, it is crowded. But that didn't prevent researchers from setting out to look for new animal species.
Living Planet, Deutsche Welle, November 2019
Picture gallery: Learning how to be wildEvery year, orphaned marine mammal pups get stranded on beaches around the world. Most of them don't have a chance of survival. In some cases, conservationists nurse them in captivity and release them when they're ready. (
Living Planet)Deutsche Welle, October 2019
Hope to save critically endangered vaquita porpoise from extinction is dwindlingThe vaquita in the Gulf of California is the most endangered cetacean in the world. Its extinction is imminent — and some even say, it's for the best.
Living Planet, Deutsche Welle, August 2019
A deep sea paradise under threatAt hot-water vents around the world, creatures live off the chemical energy that flows from underground volcanic activity. Such places are a paradise for biologists striving to understand evolution and discover new species.
Living Planet, Deutsche Welle, June 2019
Do-it-yourself insulin: Biohackers aim to counteract skyrocketing pricesIn the US, many patients have to ration the vital drug due to soaring prices. Now, biohackers have come up with a plan to produce it more cheaply.
Deutsche Welle, May 2019
The deep sea: Where poisons become nutrientsResearchers recently explored hydrothermal vents in the Gulf of California, up to 4,000 meters deep. DW spoke with marine biologist Greg Rouse about what kind of creatures live down there.
Deutsche Welle, May 2019
New territories for sea ottersSea otters were hunted extensively until the beginning of the 20th century. Now, their population has regrown, but the species is still threatened. In California, conservationists are worried.
Living Planet, Deutsche Welle, January 2019
Plastic pollution: Do beach clean-ups really make a difference?Picking up trash from river beds and beaches has become a popular activity around the world. But do clean-ups really help tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution? (
Living Planet)Deutsche Welle, December 2018
Calorie counter: Cannibalism is just not worth the effortIt's scientific fact: You are better off eating a bison or a horse than a human — nutritionally speaking.
Deutsche Welle, September 2018
Technology that helps us fall asleepDutch researchers have set out to help the insomniacs. They have come up with devices, mobile apps – and even a sleep robot.
Deutsche Welle, August 2018
Beware of potentially harmful stem cell therapies, researchers warnThey're touted as miracle cures. But the stem cell treatments on offer at private clinics are often anything but.
Deutsche Welle, July 2018
Insects perish at the frontlines of humans' war with natureSurveys in Europe and North America show a dramatic decline in the number of bugs buzzing around. Although global data are missing, many researchers are convinced this environmental disaster is happening worldwide.
Deutsche Welle, June 2018
Dutch outrage as animals starve in fenced-in wildernessA nature reserve in the Netherlands aims to create unspoiled wilderness – but has sparked animal lovers' ire. If thousands of cattle, ponies and deer die each winter, is it nature's way – or animal cruelty? (
Podcast Living Planet)Deutsche Welle, May 2017
Sunscreen poses another threat to coral reefsSome chemicals in sunscreen can kill corals, researchers have discovered. So how to protect your skin and reefs at the same time?
Deutsche Welle, April 2018
Corals in Bonaire: Trouble in paradiseOn the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean, a conservation project is hoping to restore the corals to their former glory, and is asking tourists to lend a helping hand.
Deutsche Welle, Living Planet, January 2018
Take a biteHere's the story of a piranha named "Bert" biting a man's finger - and why the man deserved it! (starts at 18:53 min)
Deutsche Welle, Spectrum, January 2018
Wood as fuel: A good idea?Is burning wood for fuel bad? I visited an award-winning, model biomass facility in Germany to find out.
Deutsche Welle, Living Planet, December 2017
Burning wood under fire: Are forests going up our chimneys?To meet the EU's renewable energy target, countries have rediscovered wood as a fuel. But conservationists fear this new hunger for wood might have disastrous consequences.
Deutsche Welle, November 2017
Bird's eye view: Life at a research aviaryMore than 2,000 birds currently reside at a bird research facility in southern Germany. What’s life like for them? Well, a zebra finch explains…
Deutsche Welle, September 2017
August Hofmann and the chemists factoryHow two German chemists shaped chemistry education and research in Britain
Chemistry World, August 2017
Germans divided over return of the wolvesWolves have been making a comeback, with a few dozen packs already roaming Germany's forests. But the return of a predator feared since ancient times has the human population fiercely divided. (
Living Planet)Deutsche Welle, July/August 2017
Record-breaking snakesMany people fear them, some people love them. In any case, snakes are fascinating and versatile. Here are the most amazing snake species that evolution has given us.
Deutsche Welle, July 2017
Don't wait for sniffer dogs to screen you for cancerDogs can sniff out drugs, cash and explosives. Now media and researchers are celebrating a new canine skill: their ability to detect tumors.
Deutsche Welle, June 2017
Would you have an abortion if you knew your baby had Down syndrome?People with Down syndrome can live healthy, happy lives. That is, if they are born at all.
Deutsche Welle, March 2017
Safe space travel: Protecting alien worlds from earthlingsThe discovery of seven new Earth-like planets has risen hope to find extraterrestrial life. During space explorations, though, researchers have to be careful.
Deutsche Welle, March 2017
The legacy of Deepwater HorizonThe explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in 2010 caused an environmental disaster. But an oil spill like that could happen again, scientists say. Will they be able to prevent worse in the future?
Deutsche Welle, February 2017
Funding for gun research is non-existent but it would save livesMore people die due to guns in America than in any other high-income country. But the US congress has restricted funding for gun violence research. (
Podcast Spectrum)Deutsche Welle, February 2017
Concerns about Trump's impact on scienceIn Boston, American and international scientists have come together to share their research results. But discussions are focused on Trump and how he is endangering modern science.
Deutsche Welle, February 2017
As early as six years old, girls believe boys are smarterA study shows even very young girls believe a "really, really smart" person can only be male.
Deutsche Welle, January 2017
Playful rats reveal brain region that drives ticklishnessExperiments also reveal that rats are ticklish in similar places to humans.
Nature News, November 2016
Illegal ivory mostly from recent elephant killingsCarbon-dating study suggests governments are not fuelling trade by selling off old tusks.
Nature News, November 2016
European diseases left their mark on First Nations' DNAChange to immune-system genes in indigenous Canadians linked to epidemic introduced by Europeans.
Nature News, November 2016
Colorful fish tanks with destructive side effectsKids in Germany have been waiting in anticipation for "Finding Dory," which features a forgetful tang fish. But conservationists and animal welfare activists have mixed feelings about it. (
Audio)Deutsche Welle, Living Planet, September 2016
Do animals mourn their dead?Whales, chimps, dogs - animals seem to suffer when they lose a beloved companion or offspring. Do animals understand death, and do they grieve like humans?
Deutsche Welle, September 2016
Pet savages? Piranhas are shy, easily startled and conservativeDo you think piranhas are bloodthirsty monsters, who skeletonize any creature they can eat within seconds? Then you will be surprised!
Deutsche Welle, May 2016
One, dos, drei: Why speaking more than one language is good for the brainHere is why teaching children to speak more than one language is a brilliant idea. (
Audio)Deutsche Welle, Spectrum, June/August 2016
Convincing Australians that bats aren't so badFruit bats carry a lot of dangerous viruses, which makes them unpopular. But bats provide an important contribution to the ecosystem - so some people are trying to save as many as possible. (
Audio, presented by Sue Cox)Deutsche Welle, Living Planet, June 2015
Scotland to cull thousands of grey squirrelsNorth American gray squirrels may drive Britain's native red squirrels into extinction. (
Podcast)Deutsche Welle, April 2014
English Adaptations of my German work
Lichens: Astonishing microcosmosLichens are the curious result of cohabitation between algae and fungi. Biologist Frank Bungartz tells DW about his passion for lichens.
Deutsche Welle, January 2017
10 facts you probably didn't know about great apesBonobos have runny noses, gorillas like to swear and both species have the same blood types humans do. Facts about our closest animal relatives that will surprise and delight you.
Deutsche Welle, April 2016
More English articles and radio pieces at "Aus aller Welt"