Born: November 7, 1972, Hildburghausen, Germany.
- 1991-1992 Study of industrial engineering and management at the Technical University of Ilmenau
- 1993-2000 Study of Biology at the University of Jena; Diploma Thesis with emphasis on ecology and mathematical biology "Sampling design and capture efficiency of pitfall traps. A model and field study with carabid beetles."
- 2001-2005 PhD Study at the University of Hamburg; Thesis "Pollen-mediated gene flow of trees in the temperate zone"
- 2001-2003 Scientific co-worker at the University of Hamburg
- 2004-2005 Scientific co-worker at the Institute for Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding of the Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products in Hamburg
- Since 2005 Head of the Unit of Population Genetics and Provenance Research, Department of Genetics, Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape