Research interests
Research interests
I conduct research in the field of molecular ecology. My research focusses on the population genetics of grassland plant species. I use genetic and epigenetic markers to study the determinants of genetic variation and structure in plant populations. In addition, I investigate barriers and areas of increased permeability of gene flow using landscape resistance analysis. To answer my research questions, I also use and collect data from vegetation surveys, soil analyses, phenotypic measurements, germination experiments and landscape analyses.
Lena Winkler
Curriculum Vitae
| 2022-2026 | PhD studies at the University Regensburg “Intraspecific variation in grassland species - the importance of land-use history, landscape structure and local adaptations” |
| Since 2025 | Research assistant at the Chair of Ecology and Conservation Biology at the University of Regensburg |
| 2022-2025 | PhD student in the project "The genetic structure of typical grassland species in the Günztal biotope network" at the Chair of Ecology and Conservation Biology at the University of Regensburg |
| 2019-2022 | Master of Science Biology at the University of Regensburg |
| 2016-2019 | Bachelor of Science Biology at the University of Regensburg |
Publications
Steurer, M.A., Gradl, E., Winkler, L. & Reisch, C. (2026) Strong differentiation between source and ex situ populations of rare plant species revealed by next‐generation sequencing. PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET. doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.70270.
Winkler, L.; Gilgenreiner, V.; Schmitt, H.; Reisch, C. (2026): Plant populations in ancient grasslands harbour higher levels of genetic diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology 63 (7). doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70500 (external link, opens in a new window).
Gradl, E., Shimono, Y., Listl, D.M., Winkler, L. & Reisch, C. (2026) Genetic monitoring of an endangered arable weed reveals local maintenance of genetic variation in times of land use and climate change. Scientific Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-38363-4.
Gratiashvili, N., Kuschel, L. & Heinze, J. (2020) Morphometry and colony structure of ants of the genus Cardiocondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Georgia. Zoology in the Middle East, 66(4), 347-356. doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2020.1835216.
Links Researchgate
Photo: Stefan Buchhauser