I am an interdisciplinary researcher at the interface of plant pathology, plant ecology, geography, data science and remote sensing. Trained in bioengineering (HAW Hamburg) and plant ecology (Universität Hamburg), I hold a joint PhD in remote sensing of plant diseases from Macquarie University and Universität Hamburg.

I study how plant stress and pathogens can be sensed from leaf to landscape. My focus is on functional trait dynamics, such as leaf angle, leaf area and leaf structure: how stress is expressed in the plant, and how this shapes what drone and satellite sensors detect.

Because models are only as good as their reference data, I build open and transparent research software and data and co-design monitoring with farmers and partners.

I work at the University of Göttingen and co-founded the Plant Health Remote Sensing Lab at the University of Pretoria. Students interested in these topics are welcome to get in touch.