Lukas Gerber

Research profile:

My PhD research, in the Sedimentology and Marine Paleoenvironmental Dynamics group, focuses on reconstructing ocean circulation dynamics in the Atlantic during the last glacial cycle and exploring their role in shaping past climate variability. To achieve this, I analyze radiogenic tracers such as ²³¹Pa/²³⁰Th and U/Th isotopes from deep-sea sediments, which provide insights into past changes in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). 

 

Academic Education:

Since 2023:

PhD candidate, Heidelberg University

Thesis: Geochemical reconstruction of the AMOC strength within the last glacial cycle using ²³¹Pa/²³⁰Th

2020 - 2023:

M.Sc., Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Thesis: Reconstruction of the surface water hydrography in the subantarctic Indian ocean over the last glacial cycle

at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz

2017 - 2021:

B.Sc., Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Thesis: Laboratory analyses of the dust filtering properties of Stachys byzantine and Achillea millefolium in relation to their utility on semi-intensive green roofs

in cooperation with TH Bingen

 

Research experience:

11/2024:

German Scientific Earth Probing Consortium (GESEP) School Attendee, Bremerhaven, DE

07/2024 :

Urbino Summer School in Paleoclimatology (USSP) Attendee, Urbino, IT

05/2020 – 06/2023:

Research Assistant in the Climate Geochemistry group at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, DE

10/2022 – 11/2022:

Research stay at National Research Council – Institute of Polar Sciences Bologna, IT

Research expeditions:

11/2023 – 12/2023:

RV Meteor, cruise 195, Ionian and Aegean Seas, GR

 

Publications:

(As of 10/2025)

2025

Hallmaier, M., Gutjahr, M., Lippold, J., Hemming, S.R., Gerber, L., Weber, M.E., Eisenhauer, A., (2025): Authigenic Uranium Preservation and Bottom Water Oxygenation in the Scotia Sea. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 26, e2025GC012415.  

Gerber, L., Lippold, J., Süfke, F., Valk, O., Testorf, P., Ehnis, M., Tautenhan, S., Max, L., Chiessi, C.M., Regelous, M., Szidat, S., Friedrich, O., Pöppelmeier, F., (2025): Low variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation throughout the Holocene. Nature Communications, 16, 6748.  

2024

Pross, J., Bahr, A., Bauersachs, T., Berke, M., Blanchet, C., Bubenzer, O., Ehmke, E.I., Evers, F., Friedrich, O., Gerber, L., Glos, M., Gürer, D., Hecht, S., Herz, F., Köhler, N., Kolb, L., Kotthoff, U., Koutsodendris, A., Müller, D., Paraschos, F., Perrakis, S., Raeke, A., Rheinberger, S., Sakellariou, D., Unkel, I., Waldhör, E., Wu, F., (2024): Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Change during the Rise of Mediterranean Civilizations, Cruise No. M195, November 11 - December 02, 2023, Piraeus (Greece) - Piraeus (Greece). METEOR-Berichte.    

Moretti, S., Auderset, A., Deutsch, C., Schmitz, R., Gerber, L., Ellen, T., Luciani, V., Petrizzo, M.R., Schiebel, R., Tripati, A., Sexton, P., Norris, R., D’Onofrio, R., Zachos, J., Sigman, D., Haug, G., Martínez-García, A., (2024): Oxygen rise in the tropical upper ocean during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Science, 383, 727-731.  

Presenting-Author Conference Contributions:

(As of 10/2025)

Gerber, L., Lippold, J., Süfke, F., Valk, O., Testorf, P., Ehnis, M., Tautenhan, S., Max, L., Chiessi, C.M., Regelous, M., Szidat, S., Friedrich, O., Pöppelmeier, F. Reconstructing Holocene variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation using ²³¹Pa/²³⁰Th. Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, Prague, CZ, 6-11^th July 2025. (Abstract 28070, Oral presentation)

Gerber, L., Lippold, J., Süfke, F., Valk, O., Testorf, P., Ehnis, M., Tautenhan, S., Max, L., Chiessi, C.M., Regelous, M., Szidat, S., Friedrich, O., Pöppelmeier, F. Holocene Variability of the AMOC as derived from ²³¹Pa/²³⁰Th. EGU General Assembly Conference, Vienna, AUT, 14-19^th April 2024. (EGU24-12743, poster)