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For details on my publications please see my publications page.
since Jan 2007: Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University, Department of Environmental & Geographical Sciences; studying effects of anthropogenic disturbances (e.g. urine application, grazing, N deposition) on soil microbial diversity and activity in managed and semi-natural ecosystems; experimental design and data analysis, publication of results; laboratory management and co-supervision of postgraduate students
Feb–Dec 2006: Research Officer with Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Research Centre (Wexford, Ireland)
Impact of dairy farming on ground water quality, in particular N loss to the environment: Day-to-day management of lysimeter experiment incl. supervision of staff, analysis of water samples for anions (Ion Chromatograph), data analysis, publication of results, co-supervision of students.
Jul 2005–Jan 2006: Centre for Soil & Environmental Quality (Lincoln University, New Zealand). Research assistant. Analyses of water samples (mineral N; cations) using Flow Injection Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
2001–2005: PhD (Lincoln University, New Zealand). Thesis title: “Effect of long- and short-term crop management on soil biological properties and nitrogen dynamics” (Assessing microbial biomass C and N, microbial activity and genetic diversity in organically and conventionally managed soils, their relationships to soil processes and the environmental impact of farming). Supervisors: Prof. L.M. Condron; Prof. A. Stewart; Prof. H.J. Di (Lincoln University); Dr M. O’Callaghan (AgResearch)
Dec 2000–Jul 2001: Centre for Soil & Environmental Quality (Lincoln University, New Zealand). Research assistant. Analyses of plant material and leachates (kjeldahl digestions; Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) soil sampling; lysimeter work
1995–2000: Diplom-Ingenieur Gartenbau (FH) (Commercial Horticulture) (Fachhochschule Wiesbaden/ University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden, Germany). Key areas of study: nursery-stock management, soil science and plant nutrition, plant pathology, plant science of the tropics and subtropics. (Grade: 'very good', equivalent to First Class Honours):
May–Nov 2000: Diplomarbeit (final year project and thesis, at Lincoln University, New Zealand). Thesis title: “Use of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents against bacterial blight on walnuts (Xanthomonas campestris pv. juglandis) - study of phage survivability under varying conditions”.
Sep 1998–May 1999: Berufspraktisches Semester (work placement at Lincoln University, New Zealand). Project title: “The storage stability of New Zealand walnut oils: Observation of the influence of oils types, antioxidant addition and storage conditions”
1993–1995: Apprenticeship in tree-nursery: responsible for certain management duties, propagation and cultivation, customer service (Moorbaumschule Vennegerts, Georgsdorf, Germany). Examination of practical training by the Landwirtschaftskammer Weser-Ems (Agricultural Administration of the State of Lower Saxony, Germany) in June 1995 (Grade: 'good')
1989-1993: Gymnasium Nordhorn, Germany. School leaving examination with University Entry Qualification (Abitur) in June 1993 (Grade: 'good').