“In our research group, we focus primarily on the theoretical study and modeling of atmospheric plasmas. This involves everyday phenomena that we are all familiar with: clouds and lightning. Although these have been known for millennia, our understanding of the processes within a cloud remains very rudimentary. Using newly developed methods, we simulate the processes that take place inside a thundercloud. We focus on electrical charging processes that develop into lightning, as well as on so-called Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes (TGFs)—beams of X-rays and gamma rays that are among the highest-energy processes on Earth. Furthermore, we are studying plasma chemistry and aim to understand the extent to which thunderstorms contribute to the production of greenhouse gases, as well as to the formation of prebiotic molecules on the early Earth and on exoplanets outside our solar system. Through this research, we help to understand the effects that thunderclouds have on technology and nature. In addition, we study astrophysical processes with a focus on the spacetime structure of the universe and the modeling of processes around compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes. The goal is to understand how the spacetime of the universe is structured and what consequences arise from extended spacetime. We also use numerical models to understand fundamental questions such as the production of the highest-energy particles around compact objects.”

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