Elena Motivans

Biodiversity, conservation ecology, pollination, science communication

Since 6/2018
Doctoral researcher
Spatial Interaction Ecology group
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) / Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany

4/2017 – 5/2018        
Research Assistant
Spatial Interaction Ecology group
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) / Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany

2014 – 2016               
Master of Science
Evolutionary Genomics, Ecology, and Systematics
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany 

2011 – 2014   
Bachelor of Applied Science
Major Biology, minor English Literature        
McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

During my Master and Bachelor studies I gained experience in different topics in the field of ecology and biodiversity research and have conducted fieldwork in both aquatic and grassland habitats.  I see great potential in using molecular methods in ecology to uncover information not visible to the eye. I have worked on various projects, such as using molecular methods to combat fish fraud, unveil the occurrence of a pathogen that is deadly to amphibians, detect an invasive fish, and identify the inhabitants of an aquarium. I am interested to use these methods for grassland systems to barcode the bees from our study to help with identification and add to our knowledge about these pollinators.

I am researching plant-pollinator networks in understudied regions in Europe, namely in areas with extensive meadow management. The main area of focus is Romania, which still has many traditional hay meadows and pastures. I am examining plant-pollinator visitation networks across natural and land-use gradients. Additionally, I am analyzing pollen transport and using molecular methods to gain more information about the pollinators.  The research will fill the knowledge gap about plant-pollinator networks in this habitat type and provide information for land use management.