Introducing: Kai Wirtz
What is your qualifying background?
I studied theology, roman languages, and physics, but specialized on ecology and ecosystem modeling during my Diploma thesis in a department of theoretical physics. After my PhD on forest ecosystem dynamics and excursions to archaeology, microbiology, and coastal zone management, my research concentrated on plankton ecophysiology and marine ecosystems.
How would you describe your working daily routine?
One of the reasons why I love my job is the absence of a daily routine. Still, I sit approximately 80% of my time in front of a laptop. A recurrent task is to develop a new model equation and trying to understand why the equation fails to describe data at first place. This process entails many different tasks such as writing scripts, or free thinking – also with paper and pencil.
What has been your biggest success so far?
A few years ago, I attended a large international conference in my field where a considerable share of presentations cited some of my works.
Do you have a big goal?
This is a challenging question. Publishing the most exciting unpublished works.
Do you have any personal distinctive mark?
My skin darkens already in spring – mostly because of my love for the Mediterranean Sea.
