Face of the LIB: Karen Meusemann

What led you to biology and the LIB?

Growing up in the Siebengebirge, my father often took me to the Museum Koenig Bonn when I was little. I wasn't always enthusiastic about visiting the museum, but I was fascinated by the hummingbirds and dioramas. The DNA extraction from onions in the advanced biology course was a trigger for my interest in biology - I found genetics in particular very interesting. However, the path into biology and research was not crystal clear and direct for me. A job as a student assistant initially led me to the Museum Koenig Bonn. During this time, Clas Naumann and Bernhard Misof finally inspired and supported me to take paths that I hadn't planned myself: my diploma thesis and doctorate at Museum Koenig Bonn. After a rather long diversions via Down Under and Freiburg, I have now been happily back "home" at Museum Koenig Bonn - now LIB - for a good year.

What would you have become if you hadn't become a biologist?

I can imagine a lot of things: becoming a musician or an instrument maker. Because I had also started to study musicology alongside biology. But I would probably have ended up in the events sector and organised events on scientific topics. Basically, I can be enthusiastic about a lot of things - the main thing is that they are varied and enjoyable.

Was your job your dream job from the start or did it develop into one?

Apart from being a double bass player, which is unrealistic with a height of 1.30 metres, I didn't have "the" dream job that I really wanted to do or that I was specifically working towards. As a research officer, I simply enjoy combining research and organisation. I am currently an interface and networking centre between all areas at the LIB - this job is both challenging and exciting. I'm just getting used to the political dimension of my work.

What aspect of your job is a highlight for you?

Diversity: Working with very different people and dealing with a wide range of topics and methods relating to nature and biodiversity. Another highlight is when employees are motivated and enthusiastic about something after initial scepticism. Like in the 1KITE project, for example: many people laughed at us at the beginning, but then it became an internationally recognised, very successful and exciting project.

What advice would you give young people at the start of their career?

Make contacts wherever possible. Travel around as much as possible. Don't be afraid to speak up and get involved. And above all, don't be put off by unplanned detours! Before my path led me to a doctorate and molecular phylogenetics, I had to take a long diversions via quality management in catering. You always have the opportunity to learn something new and break new ground. You should enjoy your work - with ups and downs, of course.

Do you have a favourite place in nature?

I really like small lakes or ponds in the forest, where you can watch dragonflies and mudflies hunting.

Crayfish, fish, butterflies or other animals or plants: Who has their own personal affection?

Tomcats (including cats, of course), bats, springtails and Otopteryx volitans.

Free time - how do you organise it?

I'm currently working in the vegetable garden and making various culinary delicacies myself (limoncello, mustard, black walnuts). Otherwise, I like to be lazy and just doze off - half-covered by my three cats.

What would you like to pass on to the readers?

I hope that we take ourselves a little less seriously and, above all, remain curious.

What do you want people to associate with the LIB in ten years' time?

The LIB should be regarded as a hub for biodiversity research in Germany and bring society together across all social classes.

DR. KAREN MEUSEMANN is Scientific Research Officer at the LIB. She studied biology and completed her doctorate on the molecular phylogeny of hexapods in the priority programme "Deep Metazoan Phylogeny". She is co-founder of the international project "1000 Insect Transcriptome Evolution"(1KITE). After three years at the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO Canberra and almost five years at the University of Freiburg as project coordinator of a research group, she joined the directorate staff at the LIB in April 2021.