Public evening lecture by Professor Dr. Christian Laforsch as part of the lecture series “Planet Earth 3.0 – Living in a Changing World”
The environmental impact of microplastics, as well as the potential risks to ecosystems and, ultimately, to our health, has recently become a major focus of public and scientific interest. The Collaborative Research Center on Microplastics aims to gain a fundamental understanding of the processes and mechanisms that—depending on the physical and chemical properties of the plastics—determine the biological effects of microplastics, influence the environmental behavior and migration of microplastics within and between environmental compartments, and lead to the formation of microplastics. These findings will provide a scientifically sound basis for assessing environmental risks and will lead to the development of new, environmentally friendly plastics.
After completing his biology degree at LMU Munich, Christian Laforsch earned his Ph.D. there in 2003 with the highest distinction: summa cum laude. This was followed by postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Leipzig and Lancaster University in the UK. After completing his habilitation in evolutionary ecology at LMU, he served as director of the Seeon Limnological Research Station at LMU. Since 2012, he has held the Chair of Animal Ecology I in the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences at the University of Bayreuth. His research focuses on zoology and evolutionary ecology, particularly on phenotypic plasticity and the adaptation of animals to environmental changes. Other research topics include coral reef ecology, the impact of multiple stressors on ecosystems, and, in particular, the effects of microplastics on human and environmental health.
Moderator: Professor Dr. Alexander Wacker
