Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Pester

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Michael Pester conducts research in the field of microbial (eco-)physiology. Major focus areas are ecosystem services that microorganisms provide for us humans and understanding how microorganisms contribute to biogeochemical cycling in freshwaters and soil. His research aims at the discovery of novel microorganisms, new metabolic pathways and the quantification of microbial ecosystem services. He studied biology at the University of Konstanz and completed his doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology. After his postdoc at the University of Vienna, he continued his work as a junior research group leader at the University of Konstanz, where he habilitated in 2017. The same year, he accepted an appointment at the TU Braunschweig and headed in parallel the Department of Microorganisms at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ. Since 2025, Prof. Pester leads the Chair of Microbial Physiology at TUM.