Max Frank

Max Frank

PhD fellow

2014-2017: B.Sc. Technical Biology, University of Stuttgart, Germany

  • specialiization: biochemistry, microbial biotechnology, plant physiology
  • thesis topic: SUMOylation of spindle alignment factors in S.cerevisiae

2017-2020: B.Sc. Forestry and Evironment, minor: Nature Protection and Landscape Management. University of Freiburg, Germany

2018-2020: B.Sc. Environmental Sciences, minor: Environmental Hydrology. University of Freiburg, Germany

  • specialization in soil sciences and ecology
  • bachelor thesis topic: Microbial biomass and activity in soils contaminated with heavy metals from former mining activities

2020-2022: M.Sc. Environmental Sciences: Soil, Water, Biodiversity (EnvEuro), at BOKU Vienna and University of Copenhagen

  • specializations in soil sciences, plant nutrition, and biodiversity
  • master thesis topic: Shaping Size, Mobility and Solubility of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for a more Efficient P Fertilization

Primary fields of research

The primary aim of our research at PLEN is to develop a phosphorus fertilizer with an increased P use efficiency for a more sustainable future agriculture. This will reduce the pressure and geopolitical dependencies on the scarce resource rock phosphorus, and simultaneously reduce environmental impacts of P fertilization such as surface water eutrophication, wihile keeping the crop yields and quality high. Our approach is to use hydroxyapatite nanotechnology for that purpose. I am synthesizing nanoparticles, investigating their properties and behaviour in soils, and soon also in the continuum of soil, water, and plant.

Personally, my major interests lay in the field of soil biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, rhizosphere interactions, and plant physiology.

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