My research interests can be defined in the fields of microbial ecology, microbial physiology, microbial diversity, environmental genomics, and soil carbon cycling. My long-term research goals strive to take a functional-based approach to address ecologically relevant questions through a synthesis of growth-, genomic-, single-cell-, metagenomic-, and molecular- based approaches in combination with biogeochemical methods. Upon my arrival at the University of Vienna (2012), I investigated complex carbon degradation in terrestrial ecosystems using a NanoSIMS-based approach - a project funded by the Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship Grant (EU). Currently, I am investigating members of the ubiquitous phylum Acidobacteria in terrestrial ecosystems (funded by the FWF) - an area of research I have been studying for over 10 years. My long-term goal is to better understand the trophic interactions of microorganisms within an ecosystem, factors that govern these interactions, and the interdependence of C-cycle in terrestrial ecosystems.