A highly curious and driven professional biologist with over two decades of experience in animal ecology, physiology, and behaviour research, focusing on free-ranging animals. Expert in integrative research methodologies, animal migration, and conservation, with a proven track record of leading complex field expeditions, securing significant research grants, and mentoring over 20 students. Committed to advancing ecological understanding and applying scientific insights to global conservation challenges through cross-cultural collaboration.
Work
Various Scientific Organizations
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Scientific Committee Member / Chair
International, Global
Summary
Provided leadership and strategic direction to international scientific committees, shaping conference programs and organizational initiatives for leading ornithological groups.
Highlights
Chaired the Scientific Programme Committee for the 19th Meeting of the Goose Specialist Group of Wetlands International (2020), overseeing program development.
Served as Secretary of the European Ornithologists' Union (2009-2013), contributing to governance and strategic planning for a major professional body.
Contributed to Scientific Programme Committees for multiple European Ornithologists' Union Conferences (2011, 2013), ensuring high-quality scientific discourse.
Michael-Otto-Institute at Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union
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researcher
Bergenhusen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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project-bound temporary contract
Summary
Working in a Bewick's Swan species conservation project of NABU
Highlights
Investigating threats to Bewick's Swans such as from (illegal) hunting, lead contamination, avian flu
Studying migration ecology and habitat use of Bewick's Swans
Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
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Researcher, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands
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Summary
Conducted focused research in wildlife ecology and conservation at a top-tier Dutch university, contributing to scientific publications.
Highlights
Contributed to cutting-edge research in wildlife ecology and conservation, leveraging expertise in animal behaviour and physiology.
Collaborated effectively with interdisciplinary teams to advance understanding of complex ecological processes.
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
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Senior Researcher, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography & Dept. Animal Ecology
Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands
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Summary
Led significant research initiatives on avian migration and animal ecology, contributing to the understanding of ecological dynamics and mentoring students.
Highlights
Spearheaded research on avian migration and demography, leading to multiple peer-reviewed publications and advancing global ecological understanding.
Managed complex research projects within the Department of Animal Ecology, ensuring high-quality data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Mentored and co-supervised 2 PhD students and 10+ MSc/BSc students, fostering the next generation of ecologists and biologists.
Secured significant research grants, including a €575,750 NWO grant, for projects on arctic migratory birds, demonstrating strong grant writing skills.
Lund University (CAnMove)
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Marie Curie Fellow
Lund, Skåne, Sweden
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Summary
Conducted advanced research on animal movement and migration as a prestigious Marie Curie Fellow, leading to high-impact publications.
Highlights
Secured and managed a Marie Curie Fellowship valued at €174,000, leading independent research on animal movement ecology.
Published high-impact research findings on migratory patterns and behavioural adaptations in leading scientific journals.
Collaborated internationally with researchers at CAnMove, advancing interdisciplinary approaches to animal migration studies.
CNRS-IPHC & Université de Strasbourg
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Postdoctoral Researcher
Strasbourg, Grand Est, France
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Summary
Conducted postdoctoral research focusing on animal physiology and behaviour within an international scientific framework, contributing to seminal publications.
Highlights
Performed advanced research on animal physiology and behaviour, contributing to understanding energetics and thermoregulation in king penguins.
Utilized sophisticated laboratory techniques, including animal sensing and gas exchange measurements, to gather critical data.
Published findings in high-impact journals like Nature Communications, advancing knowledge in evolutionary biology.
Education
Groningen University
Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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PhDAnimal Ecology
Courses
PhD Thesis: Travels in a changing world: flexibility and constraints in migration and breeding of the barnacle goose
Diploma Thesis: On the importance of steppe lakes in Central Kazakhstan for migrating waders; with special regard to the stopover ecology of Little Stint and Red-necked Phalarope
St. Petersburg State University
St. Petersburg, Northwestern Federal District, Russian Federation
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Studies AbroadBiology
Freiburg University
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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Intermediate DiplomaBiology
Awards
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) Grant
NWO
Wrote and secured a €575,750 grant for research on behavioural and physiological adjustments in arctic migratory birds, demonstrating significant grant acquisition ability.
Marie Curie Fellowship
European Commission
Awarded a prestigious fellowship valued at €174,000 for advanced research in animal movement ecology at Lund University, Sweden.
Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund Grant
Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund
Awarded SEK 73,130 for research on resilience to global change in long-lived species, supporting ecological studies.
Martina de Beukelaar Stichting & J.C. van der Hucht Fonds Grant
Martina de Beukelaar Stichting & J.C. van der Hucht Fonds
Received €5,000 for studying migration routes of Sociable Lapwing and Northern Lapwing, supporting conservation-focused research.
Ubbo Emmius Programme Grant
Groningen University
Received a grant for supporting PhD work at Groningen University, Netherlands, contributing to doctoral research.
Schure-Beijerinck-Popping Fonds of KNAW Grant
KNAW
Received €8,940 for PhD work, contributing to the financial support of doctoral research.
Marianne und Dr. Fritz Walter Fischer-Stiftung Grant
Marianne und Dr. Fritz Walter Fischer-Stiftung
Secured research funding for PhD work in Germany, supporting early career scientific endeavors.
European Science Foundation BIRD programme Travel Grant
European Science Foundation
Awarded €4,720 for PhD work travel, enabling international research collaboration and data collection.
Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) Grant
OSME
Secured funding for a bird survey in Kazakhstan, facilitating critical fieldwork in a key region.
InWEnt, Programme ASA Grant
InWEnt, Programme ASA
Awarded funding to study bird migration at Lake Tengiz, Kazakhstan, supporting early research on avian ecology.
AIESEC Germany Grant
AIESEC Germany
Received support for a visiting research period in Kazakhstan, facilitating international fieldwork experience.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship
DAAD
Awarded a scholarship for studies abroad in Russia, enhancing cross-cultural academic experience.
Publications - most recent examples
Year-round activity levels reveal diurnal foraging constraints in the annual cycle of migratory and non-migratory barnacle geese.
Oecologia
Boom MP, Lameris TK, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Moonen S, de Vries PP, Zaynagutdinova EM, Nolet BA, van der Jeugd HP & Eichhorn G (2023) Year-round activity levels reveal diurnal foraging constraints in the annual cycle of migratory and non-migratory barnacle geese. Oecologia 202: 287-298.
Steigende Rastbestände trotz rückläufiger Population: Zwergschwäne in Deutschland. Increasing wintering numbers despite declining population: Bewick's swans in Germany.
Der Falke
Urban S, Eichhorn G & Hunke P (2024) Steigende Rastbestände trotz rückläufiger Population: Zwergschwäne in Deutschland. Increasing wintering numbers despite declining population: Bewick's swans in Germany. Der Falke 71/9: 30-34. In German.
Scope for waterfowl to speed up migration to a warming Arctic.
Nature Climate Change
Linssen H, Lameris TK, Boom MP, Nuijten RJM, Buitendijk NH, Dokter AM, Ebbinge BS, Eichhorn G, ... & Nolet BA (2025) Scope for waterfowl to speed up migration to a warming Arctic. Nature Climate Change 15: 1107-1114.
Migratory birds advance spring arrival and egg-laying in the Arctic, mostly by travelling faster.
Global Change Biology
Lameris TK, Boom MP, Nuijten RJM, Buitendijk NH, Eichhorn G, Ens BJ, ... & van Bemmelen RSA (2025) Migratory birds advance spring arrival and egg-laying in the Arctic, mostly by travelling faster. Global Change Biology 31: e70158.
Individual variation in migration and wintering patterns of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis from a population in decline.
Ecology and Evolution
Karwinkel T, Pollet IL, Vardeh S, Loshchagina JA, Glazov PM, Kondratyev AV, Sokolov AA, Sokolov VA, Morkūnas J, Tritscher DJ, Masello JF, Eichhorn G, Kruckenberg H, Quillfeldt P & Bellebaum J (2025) Individual variation in migration and wintering patterns of long-tailed ducks Clangula hyemalis from a population in decline. Ecology and Evolution 15: e71187.
Earlier springs increase goose breeding propensity and nesting success at Arctic but not at temperature latitudes.
Journal of Animal Ecology
Boom MP, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Moonen S, Nolet BA, Eichhorn G, van der Jeugd HP & Lameris TK (2023). Earlier springs increase goose breeding propensity and nesting success at Arctic but not at temperature latitudes. Journal of Animal Ecology 92: 2399-2411.
Project Management, Time Management, Strategic Planning, Scientific Committee Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, International Collaboration, Supervision.
Interests
Ornithology
DO-G member, European Ornithologists' Union, Bird Watching, Bird Ringing.
Wildlife Photography
Nature Photography, Contributor to 'Nature in Stock'.
Sport
Scuba Diving (CMAS** silver), Capoeira.
Projects
Arctic Barnacle Goose Research Expeditions, Nenetsky AO
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Summary
Conducted and co-led multiple complex research expeditions to the Russian Arctic, focusing on barnacle goose ecology and migration.
Field Assistant, Seychelles Warbler Rewilding & Conservation Project
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Summary
Contributed as a field assistant to the 'Seychelles Warbler Project' under Prof. Komdeur, focusing on rewilding and conservation of island populations.
Lead Bird Conservation Surveys, Kazakhstan
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Summary
Led independent surveys focused on bird conservation in Kazakhstan, contributing to ecological assessments outside academic institutions.
Lake Tengis Waterbird Monitoring & UNESCO Nomination
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Summary
Initiated and conducted comprehensive data collection for a long-term waterbird monitoring program at Lake Tengis, Central Kazakhstan.
