Biologist from Freie Universität Admitted to the German National Academy of Sciences

The German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina, has elected Matthias C. Rillig, a professor of ecology at the Institute of Biology at Freie Universität Berlin, as a new member. This is one of the highest honors awarded by any German institution to individual scientists. The Academy enjoys international acclaim. Its members include scientists from various disciplines from all over the world.

Matthias C. Rillig studied biology and botany at the University of Kaiserslautern and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). He received his doctorate in 1997 from the University of California Davis / San Diego State University (USA) with a thesis on the effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on soils. His main research interests are fungal ecology, soil biodiversity, and the effects of global change on terrestrial ecosystems.

The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina is one of the oldest science academies in the world. Its history goes back centuries; the establishment of the Academia Naturae Curiosorum dates back to 1652. An internationally respected institution, the Leopoldina has committed itself to free science and enlightenment in accordance with its guiding principle. The Leopoldina has around 1,600 members and brings together outstanding researchers from German-speaking countries and numerous other countries. It has represented Germany in international bodies since 2008. As an independent institution, it takes a stand on political and social issues based on scientific evaluation.

Further Information

Contact

Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Rillig, Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Email: rillig@zedat.fu-berlin.de, Tel.: +49 30 838-53165, www.rilliglab.org