Christa Schleper (Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology) has made landmark discoveries in the field of environmental microbiology, including the identification of ammonia-oxidizing archaea in soils, which fundamentally changed our understanding of the global nitrogen cycle. Together with other researchers, she recently discovered Asgard Archaea that played a crucial role in the evolution of complex life forms. She is a Wittgenstein Award recipient, as well as PI of the Emerging Field Project "Crucial steps in evolution: The rise of genome architecture".

The Leopoldina, founded in 1652 and based in Halle, is one of the oldest continuously operating scientific academies in the world. It was designated Germany's National Academy of Sciences in 2008, and today counts around 1,700 members from over 30 countries across the natural sciences, medicine, and the humanities. The Academy advises policymakers on scientific matters of public concern and fosters international scientific exchange.

Learn more:

• Christa Schleper Lab: Archaea Ecology and Evolution
• Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology
• German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina