Three CeMESS Scientists Recognized as “Highly Cited Researchers”

The selection process for the Clarivate “Highly Cited Researchers” goes beyond citation metrics, incorporating qualitative analysis and expert evaluation to ensure that the researchers’ work reflects broad and lasting impact. This year, Richter, Wagner, and Wanek represent nearly half of the University of Vienna’s seven scholars featured on the list.

Andreas Richter heads the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) and its Division of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research (TER). His research focuses on the ecology of climate change, microbial soil ecology, plant-microbe interactions and biogeochemical material cycles. Currently, he is investigating the role of Arctic soil microorganisms in the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Michael Wagner (DOME) specializes in nitrification, single-cell microbiology, and the microbiology of sponges and sewage treatment plants. Together with colleagues, he discovered the previously unknown comammox bacteria, which play an important role in the global nitrogen cycle. Since 2023, he has been Director of Research of the Cluster of Excellence “Microbiomes drive Planetary Health”.

Wolfgang Wanek (TER) has made significant contributions to understanding plant-soil-microbe interactions. Specifically, he investigates the role of plants and soil microbes and their interaction in the control of ecosystem processes. In recent years, he has focused, among other things, on interactions between the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in terrestrial ecosystems and their response to climate change and land use.

CeMESS researchers have appeared on this prestigious list for multiple years, underscoring their sustained contributions to impactful science. At CeMESS, we are honored to have these outstanding scientists not only advancing their fields but also inspiring and mentoring the next generation of researchers.