Research at Hochschule Geisenheim University

Creating Strategies for a Sustainable and Livable Future

Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Sustainability Targets – We're Meeting the Planet's Most Urgent Challenges

Our mission is to develop resource-efficient, innovative, and sustainable solutions in the area of agriculture and food. Our work spans a broad range of key issues: advancing organic, climate-resilient cultivation strategies for specialty crops, developing sustainable production and marketing methods, and designing livable cultural landscapes and urban regions. By uniting ecology, profitability, and a focus on quality of life, we aim to create a sustainable future in which society and nature can flourish together.

Our Focus Areas

Sustainable Cultivation Systems for Specialty Crops

Cultivating grapevines, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals is particularly resource intensive – as such, a careful balance between producing the highest quality products possible and ensuring sustainable practices needs to be struck.

Through our research, we are developing innovative, ecofriendly strategies that ensure healthy harvests and preserve resources. We breed varieties and growth forms that are optimally adapted to climate change, environmental factors, and potential pests and pathogens. Modern sensor systems help control water and nutrient supply with pinpoint accuracy, alternative plant protection strategies – such as the use of antagonists – strengthen plants and their environments, and new digital techniques make precise management measures possible. Together with our partners, we are establishing diverse cultivation strategies that promote biodiversity and preserve ecosystem functions, creating an economically and ecologically sustainable future for viticulture and horticulture.

Innovative and Safe Processing and Marketing for Plant Products

Sustainability in food production spans the entire journey, from cultivation and processing to the moment the product reaches the customer. At every stage, product quality and safety needs to be guaranteed. The bioeconomy plays a key role in this context, enabling the more efficient use of resources, processes, and systems, while supporting the livelihood of the businesses that produce them. 

Through our research, we develop energy and resource-efficient methodologies for processing plant products and extracting valuable ingredients from crops and by-products. We examine microorganisms as natural protective cultures, evaluate the health effects of plant-based ingredients, and conduct sensory tests with our university panel. Market research, consumer behavior analyses, and industry data deliver essential insights for sustainable marketing strategies, particularly in the wine industry. We also analyze the logistical processes, from packing to distribution, and boost the efficiency and sustainability of the entire value chain with the help of modern, digital technologies.

Livable Cultural Landscapes and Urban Regions

Intensified land use has reduced valuable landscape features and biodiversity in many areas. Urban regions are also under pressure to maintain quality of life through green infrastructure such as parks and green belts.

Through our research, we develop methods to optimize and assess urban open spaces and enhance their social sustainability. We create techniques for greening sites with limited soil and for using plants in urban areas in a targeted manner, particularly in the context of climate change. For viticultural landscapes, we design strategies to adapt to climate change and preserve rare species. Additionally, we develop concepts for multifunctional, ecologically valuable, and attractive landscapes that enable new, sustainable production scenarios.

Questions about Our Research?

Please get in touch!

Christiane Jost
Dr. Christiane Jost
Building 5924
Room 01.01
Phone +49 6722 502 6334
Christiane.Jost(at)hs-gm.de Details

News & Latest Projects

Gerd Erbslöh Foundation Honors Two Outstanding Doctoral Theses

Dieter Erbslöh presents Dr. Jennifer Badura with her prize certificate. Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz

Dr. Jennifer Badura and Dr. Claire Payan have been awarded prizes for their research in enology and beverage technology.

In a ceremony held at Hochschule Geisenheim University on October 22, 2026, the Gerd Erbslöh Foundation honored two outstanding scientific theses in enology and beverage technology. The prizes worth EUR 1,500 each were awarded to Dr. Jennifer Badura and Dr. Claire Payan who presented their research as part of the ceremony in the Gerd Erbslöh Lecture Hall.

Dr. Jennifer Badura received the prize for her thesis entitled “Characterization, regulation and genetic modification of the synthesis of aroma compounds in non-conventional wine yeasts“ , in which she examines the formation of aroma compounds in non-conventional wine yeasts and their regulation. The laudatory speech was given by Dr. Christian von Wallbrunn, who highlighted Baduras outstanding scientific achievements and summarized her personal and professional career. 

Following the award presentation, Badura provided guests with creative and tangible insights into her work by presenting two beverages produced from the examined yeasts. The guests were then able to taste one of these beverages. To prove that scientific work can be communicated in an engaging way, the award winner had also illustrated her work and the examined yeast herself.  

Dr. Claire Payan was awarded the prize for her thesis entitled “Acidification of musts and wines by fumaric acid: Impact of its addition on the chemical and sensory characteristics of varietal wines in the frame of Climate Change“. In her research, she examines the use of fumaric acid to acidify musts and wines and how it impacts the chemical and sensory characteristics of varietal wines amid climate change. The laudatory speech was given by Dr. Matthias Schmitt who also co-supervised her thesis. Payan presented her work in English. 

A reception following the award ceremony offered plenty of opportunities for personal exchange and to discuss the presented research.

Bridging academia and practice 

The Gerd Erbslöh Foundation is a prime example of the close ties between Hochschule Geisenheim University and the industry. Founded in 2008 by the Geisenheim entrepreneur Gerd Erbslöh (1927–2019), the foundation awards prizes  to recognize outstanding scientific work that promotes the development of Hochschule Geisenheim University or represents a special achievement in the field of enology or beverage technology. Through the prize, the foundation honors scientific excellence and promotes early-career researchers. 

Hochschule Geisenheim University would like to thank the Gerd Erbslöh Foundation for their longstanding commitment and ongoing support provided to early-career researchers. The university warmly congratulates the two award winners Dr. Jennifer Badura and Dr. Claire Payan, wishing them every success for their future careers.  

Categories: MyHGU-App, Mein-Netzwerk, Dashboard, Stiftungen, Gerd-Erbslöh-Stiftung, Preise, Gerd-Erbslöh-Preis, Alumni, FORSCHUNG, Oenologie, Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Getränkeforschung, Allgemeiner und ökologischer Weinbau, Nachrichten

Images

Dr. Claire Payan proudly presents the trophy awarded by the Gerd Erbslöh Foundation. Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz
Dr. Christian von Wallbrunn during the laudatory speech. Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz
Dr. Matthias Schmitt during his laudatory speech. Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz
Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz
Dr. Jennifer Badura creatively illustrated her work. Photo: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz

Research brochure (click to enlarge)

Our University has unique opportunities to conduct scientifically recognized and applied research along the entire value chain of special crops. In doing so, we benefit both from a strong network of national and international partners and our own excellent research infrastructure at Geisenheim. Vice-President of Research Professor Annette Reineke

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