Dr. Thomas Wichard
Research Group Leader, Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry
Researcher IDs
ORCID: 0000-0003-0061-4160External link
Google ScholarExternal link
ResearchGateExternal link
Researcher ID: C-2794-2009External link
University education
- Biochemistry (1995–2001), University of Regensburg, Germany
Scientific degrees
- Habilitation: Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, 2021
Venia Legendi for Analytical Chemistry - Graduation (PhD): Biochemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, 2006
Education and Scientific Career
- 2021: Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry (Privatdozent), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
- 2009–present: Research Group Leader, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
- 2008: Research Associate at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
- 2006–2008: Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Chemistry at Princeton University, Princeton Environmental Institute, Department of Geosciences, USA
- 2006: Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Institute of Chemical Sciences of the EPFL (Switzerland)
- 2004–2006: Member of the International Max Planck Research School: "The Exploration of Ecological Interactions with Molecular and Chemical Techniques"
- 2002–2006: Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena (Germany): Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in Biochemistry
- 2001–2002: Technical Assistant at the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (Germany)
- 1995–2001: University of Regensburg (Germany): Diploma in Biochemistry
Management
- 2021–2025: Member of the Management Committee of the COST Action CA20106
- 2021–2025: Work package leader “Bioactive chemicals and Ulva-associated microorganisms” of the COST Action CA20106
- 2020: Project and team management of the scientific stay at Carlini Station (King Georg Island, Antarctica)
- 2019–present: Associated Editor of Botanica Marina
- 2017: Editor of Special Issue Phycomorph in Botanica Marina
- 2015–2019: Work package leader “Symbiosis” of Horizon 2020-MSCA-ITN-2014 ALFF
- 2015–2019: Member of the Management Committee of the COST Action “Phycomorph” FA1406
- 2015–2019: Work package leader “Adult algal growth” of the COST Action “Phycomorph” FA1406
Current research projects
- Symbiotic interaction of the green alga Ulva mutabilis and its bacteria (Chemical Ecology)
- Bacteria induced morphogenesis (Developmental Biology)
- Regulation of the gametogenesis and gamete release of Ulva
- Bacterial modulation of stress adaptations in algae
- Microbe leverage to aquaculture to improve Ulva culture maintenance and biomass production
- Metallophore production of nitrogen fixing symbiotic bacteria
Research Interests
(Chemical ecology, analytical chemistry, marine sciences)
- Chemical mediator based interactions between eukaryotes and prokaryotes: Cross-kingdom cross-talk via waterborne infochemicals and shared metabolites in aquatic systems
- Bacteria induced morphogensis ann cell differentiation in the green seaweed Ulva
- Developing Ulva into a model organism for morphogenesis
- Trace metal recruitment and metal homeostasis in aquatic systems and below-ground in the rhizosphere
- Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics data
- Developing the genetic tool kit for Ulva
Teaching Experiences
- 2003–2006: undergraduate students co-supervisor at the Max Planck Institute, Jena (Germany
- Since 2008: practical courses, seminars and lectures in analytical chemistry for undergraduate students in chemistry, biogeochemistry and geosciences at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
Please see my classes here.
Professional Society Memberships
- Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh)
- Sektion Phykologie der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft
- German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM)
- International Phycological Society (IPC)
- Phycological Society of America (PSA)
Editor
- Since 2019: Associated Editor for Botanica Marina (journal websiteExternal link).
Awards
- 2006–2008: Camille and Henry Dreyfus Fellowship in Environmental Science
- 2010–2012: Förderung durch die Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Grants received
- BMBF ThWIC Project VANAPLA: 2023-2026
- SFB 1127 ChemBioSys: 2022-2026
- SPP 1158 Antarktisforschung: 2021-2022
- SPP 1158 Antarktisforschung: 2019-2021
- SFB 1127 ChemBioSys: 2018-2022
- SFB 1127 ChemBioSys: 2014-2018
- Horizont 2020-MSCA-ITN-2014 ALFF: 2014-2018
- COST Action FA1406 Phycomorph: 2015 - 2019 (STSM, organization of workshops and training schools)
- DFG-Exzellenzinitiative: Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC): 2009-2012, 2013-2016
- Fonds der Chemischen Industrie im Verband der chemischen Industrie e.V.: 2012
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD): Canada in 2012& 2013
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD): Portugal - Acções Integradas Luso-Alemãs in 2012
- ASSEMBLE European Community - Research Infrastructure Action (1st call in 2010, 3rd call in 2011 and 5th call in 2012)