My main scientific interest are two of the most extreme environments in our universe: the vicinity of accreting black holes and neutron stars and the winds of the massive supergiant stars. My research mainly involves space-based observations of X-ray binaries, i.e., binary systems consisting of a compact object (black hole or neutron star) and a normal companion star.

To study black holes and neutron stars, I bring together different analysis techniques (especially spectral and timing domains and recently also polarization), different energy ranges and different mass scales with the goal to understand the origin of (X-ray) emission and decipher the accretion geometry in the extreme relativistic regime. To probe the clumpy winds of O/B type companion stars, I use the radiation emitted in the vicinity of the compact objects to X-ray the variable wind; I study the structure and the composition of the winds with the goal to understand mass loss and thus also feedback from (super)giant stars. I'm co-organizing the X-Wind collaboration that brings together X-ray astronomy and stellar wind theory.

I am interested in intersection of astronomy and climate science in the times of climate crisis. I have contributed to the assessment of the climate impact of large astronomy meetings (see this Nature Astronomy publication) and given multiple talks, including keynote, on the topic of astronomy and climate crisis. I further have a keen interest in the issues of women in STEM and in the intersection of art, language+literature, and science.

I enjoy giving outreach talks (examples in English and German) or contribute to other outreach events (see this ARTE twitch stream) and I make scientific illustrations and academia cartoons, some of which have been published.