Prof. Dr. Jürgen Geist

Academic Career and Research Areas

As part of his research, Prof. Geist (b. 1977) develops system biology models for chronological and spatial distribution of biodiversity in water ecosystems which integrate molecular biology and ecology approaches. Focus is placed on the quality of the aquatic habitat, genetic and demographic structures of fish and mussel populations, aquatic food webs and the development of stress biomarkers to indicate pollution in water bodies.

After studying agrobiology at TUM and completing his doctorate in genetics and ecology (2005), he received a postdoctoral grant to attend the University of California Davis, USA. He became junior professor of functional aquatic ecology and fish biology in 2008. After qualifying as a lecturer in aquatic ecology (2010), Prof. Geist was appointed to the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology at TUM in 2010.

Awards

  • Admission to the Förderkolleg of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2010)
  • Young Scientist Award of the German Society for Limnology (2005)
  • Annual Award of the Malacological Society of London (2005)
  • Special Award Environmental Technology Bavaria (1998) and Environmental Certificate of the Bavarian State Minister for Regional Development and Environmental Issues (1999)
  • Sponsorship Award and Badge of Honor in Gold of the E.F. Bläse Foundation for "outstanding inventive achievements for the improvement of the quality of life" (1998)

Geist J, Kuehn R: “Host-parasite interactions in oligotrophic stream ecosystems: The roles of life history strategy and ecological niche”. Molecular Ecology. 2008; 17: 997-1008.

Abstract

Geist J, Eder K, Werner I, Leutenegger C: “Comparisons of tissue-specific transcription of stress response genes with whole animal endpoints of adverse effect in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) following treatments with copper and esfenvalerate”. Aquatic Toxicology. 2007; 85: 28-39.

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Geist J, Auerswald K: “Physicochemical stream bed characteristics and recruitment of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)”. Freshwater Biology. 2007; 52: 2299-2316.

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Geist J, Kühn R: “Genetic diversity and differentiation of central European freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.) populations: implications for conservation and management”. Molecular Ecology. 2005; 14: 425-439.

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Geist J, Auerswald K, Boom A: “Stable carbon isotopes in freshwater mussel shells: environmental record or marker for metabolic activity?” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2005; 69: 3545-3554.

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