Untold stories - research & more!

2 May 2024

We are starting the merry month of May with a new series of offers: "Untold stories" from the LIB - here our colleagues introduce themselves and their exciting tasks in more detail.

Every 3rd Thursday of the month, from 18:30

Untold stories - research & more!

Which people work at the LIB and what are they passionate about? We welcome you to join us for entertaining insights into everyday working life. Meet us in person!

Dates 2025, each from 18:30:

• 16.01.: Prof. Dr. Marie Herberstein, Head of Center of Taxonomy and Morphology - in German!
  On this evening, Marie Herberstein will provide insights into her day-to-day work and take you into the world of spiders: What can their morphology tell us?
  Most people probably recognise the habitus of a spider immediately, even from a distance. However, on closer inspection we can recognise very specific morphological features that indicate the particular ecology of individual species. In some groups of spiders, the specialisation is so extreme that we almost no longer recognise them as spiders.
  Book here

• 20.02.: Dr. Sarah Lemer, Scientific Head of the Molecular Laboratory
  Are you curious about the incredible diversity of life in tropical coral reefs? Do you wonder what fascinating animals inhabit these ecosystems and how they interact with one another?
  Join us as Dr. Sarah Lemer, a marine biologist with two decades of experience, takes us on a journey into the vibrant world of coral reefs. Dr. Lemer will share her expertise in using genetics to uncover, understand, and protect marine biodiversity. Whether you are an aspiring scientist or simply fascinated by the ocean, Dr. Lemer will answer your questions about coral reef life and offer insight into pursuing a career in marine biology.
  Book here

• 20.03.: Dr. Karina Lucas da Silva-Brandão, Head of Section Lepidoptera & Trichoptera
  An activity for adults, to learn more about insects in general, focusing on the colorful-beautiful-intriguing butterflies. Let’s talk about their life histories, food preferences, ecological roles, and natural curiosities.
  We will visit the Holometabolous collection of the Museum der Nature in Hamburg in the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB). It includes the collection of butterflies and moths, wing insects that have scales. Ca. of 1100 type species of lepidopterans are deposited in this collection, all of them maintained in fireproof cupboards. The main collection is composed of ca. of 1.000.000 specimens of adult butterflies and moths, dried, pinned and organized in ca. of 4500 entomological drawers. Most of the specimens came from Europe, Africa and Asia, but the collection also includes samples from South America.
  Many scientific questions concerning butterflies and moths are investigated in the LIB, such as evolution on the use of host plants, genetic diversity and response to environmental changes.
  Book here

• 17.04.: Dr. Danilo Harms, Head of Section Arachnida & Myriapoda - in German!
  Spiders fascinate people, but they also evoke fear and rejection. So how does one come to be a professional arachnologist and look after and research a scientific collection of more than 1 million dead arachnids (spiders and their relatives such as scorpions and mites)? Join our spider expert Danilo Harms on a fascinating tour through the arachnological collections of the Museum der Natur Hamburg and hear fascinating stories: about research trips to Australia to look for the most poisonous spiders in the world, about the importance and behaviour of spiders on our doorstep and their protection, why scorpions glow under black light, what you have to consider when dealing with ticks, and what contribution emancipated women have made to building up the Hamburg collections. Look forward to a guided tour through the unique collections of our eight-legged friends and let yourself be converted to the side of our eight-legged friends.
  Book here

• 15.05.: Dr. Jenna Moore, Head of Annelida Section
  Join Dr. Jenna Moore to discover how extreme specialization has led to marvelous diversity in marine worms, and how it led her to a dream job as the curator of segmented worms (Annelida) at the LIB. Learn more about what it's like to be a worm and why collections matter.
  Book here

• 19.06.:  Alexander Daasch, Technical Assistance Section Mammalogy & Paleoanthropology - in German!
  Accompany Alexander Daasch from the mammal department of the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change into the collection rooms, which are otherwise closed to the public, and gain an insight into the work of a technical assistant at the Museum der Natur Hamburg. The Hamburg mammal collection contains thousands of skeletons, skins and specimens in alcohol - only a small part of which is visible in the exhibition. During the guided tour of the collection, Alexander Daasch will report on the daily work and research focal points of the department and present interesting objects and curiosities.
  Book here