Born in Bückeburg in 1955

1961-65 Elementary School at Hameln

1965-73 Grammar school at Hameln

1975-81 Studied Biology at Göttingen University (Diploma)

1981-85 Worked as a research assistent (SFB 135, DFG-project, University)

1985 Doctorate (Göttingen University)

1993 Worked at the Behaviour & Ecology Research Group, University of Nottingham (DFG grant)

1995 Habilitation (venia legendi for zoology) at Göttingen University