Sen. Prof. Dr. Thomas Rausch

Head of the Department of Molecular Plant Physiology at the Center for Organismal Studies (COS) at Heidelberg University until 2019, Executive Director of the HCE from 2021 to 2025, Director of the HCE since 2026

Investigation of the mechanisms of stress resilience in crops, with a focus on factors relevant to climate change, such as elevated temperatures, drought, and waterlogging.
The impact of plant metabolites on human health (e.g., plant secondary metabolites, inulin/fructans).
Ways to specifically modify plant traits using CRISPR-Cas (goals: increased stress resilience, improved post-harvest stability of the crop).

Why I joined the HCE

Out of a strong interest in interdisciplinary exchange with the social sciences—for example, on issues related to sustainable agriculture or the bioeconomy. Since my focus as a plant scientist has always been on crop plants, questions about the societal relevance of my own research arose time and again.

My highlights so far

Coordination of a BW-wide graduate program on the bioeconomy (2014–2021)
Ongoing participation in the 4EU+ project Collegio Futuro (summer/winter schools for doctoral students).
Participation in the university’s Sustainability Think Tank.
The opportunity to analyze complex issues related to sustainable development across various dimensions of action through interdisciplinary exchange with colleagues, particularly regarding the recurring knowledge-action gaps.

My key partners

As a senior professor, I am now only involved in my own research project, but I am happy to assist with the preparation, development, and submission of proposals for interdisciplinary research consortia within the HCE.
As a member of the Executive Board, I am in particularly close contact with André Butz (Environmental Physics), Jale Tosun and Max Jungmann (Political Science), and Tabea Borg-Hüffer (Human Geography).