Born and raised in the northern German city of Oldenburg, I developed early a special rapport with nature, not least inspired by my grandfather, who himself was a keen naturalist. As a young boy I often spent time exploring the extensive moorland so characteristic of my home county. The tranquility of the landscape had a great influence on me and it was here where I made my first steps into wildlife observation – which would ultimately lead to a career closely linked to biology and the environment.

After my 'Abitur' (German name for university entrance qualification) I focused on the study of natural sciences and received my Master's (called 'Diplom') as well as a Doctorate degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Hamburg. Always dreaming of exploring the world – Alexander von Humboldt was a great but never reached inspiration – I managed to live and work for approximately ten years in the Philippines, worked on a short-term basis in the AR Yemen and thereafter for more than twenty-two years now in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

The search for a synthesis between my love for nature and meeting the needs of the less privileged people in developing countries are for me some of the most intriguing challenges. Apart from my professional engagements I enjoy living in a multi-cultural environment ... and relaxing by immersing myself in jazz and oldies music, and pursuing the art of photography. Without doubt, my professional involvement in Laos has been the most fulfilling period of my life and it is certainly the reason why I spent so many successive years (almost a third of my life span) in this beautiful country.