The biologist Jing Man came to Freie Universität Berlin as a Rising Star Fellow in 2022 to work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Matthias Rillig at the Institute of Biology.

Her project aims to investigate the joint effects of microplastic, drought, and plant diversity on soil multifunctionality in a grassland ecosystem. Microplastic, as an emerging global change factor, can affect soil physical properties and soil biota, which in turn can affect plant performance. Jing Man seeks to explore how microplastic and drought affect soil multifunctionality and whether plant diversity can buffer or exacerbate these effects.

To achieve this, she plans to conduct a fully factorial experiment using grassland microcosms to manipulate plant diversity and investigate the joint effects of microplastic and drought on soil multifunctionality.

Jing Man obtained her B.S. in Grassland Science at Gansu Agricultural University in Lanzhou, China. She earned her M.S. in Grassland Science at China Agricultural University in Beijing, China. Afterwards she pursued a Ph.D. in Grassland Ecology at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing. During her doctoral studies, she focused on exploring the effects of plant litter diversity on soil nutrients mineralization and the underlying mechanisms in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia.

“The primary reason I applied for the Rising Star Fellowship was that it provided a unique opportunity for me to advance my research in plant and soil ecology. Additionally, it gave me the chance to work with Prof. Dr. Matthias Rillig, an expert in plant science and soil ecology known for his groundbreaking research in the field. I was honored to win this fellowship with the great help of Prof. Dr. Matthias Rillig and Prof. Dr. Jonathan Jeschke.

What impressed me the most is that the Institute of Biology is located in the Berlin Botanical Garden, offering a beautiful and inspiring setting for academic pursuits. Furthermore, Rillig’s lab is highly international, facilitating the exchange of ideas and perspectives with outstanding scholars from various countries, and creating a dynamic and intellectually stimulating research environment. I look forward to expanding my academic and professional horizons in Freie Universität Berlin.”