Dr. Elisabeth Geiser

5020 Salzburg

Scientist with emphasis on:
Entomology (especially beetles), Biogeography, Biodiversity Databases and
Biological Systematics

Specialist of the beetle family Chrysomelidae (Leaf-beetles) with emphasis on
Donaciinae (Reed-beetles)

Contact:

elisabeth.geiser@gmx.at

Phone: ++43(0)662 870 905

Mobile: ++43(0)664 543 4747

Scientific Activities

Recent Activities

Activities in the past:

Until 2013: Supervision of bachelor and master thesis at the Universities of Salzburg and Vienna

1998: Collaboration with the Geological Department of the University of Bern (Switzerland) on the project: Insect Fragments in 4000 years old bog parts

1995-1999: Lectures on Zoogeography, Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Extinction Causes and Conservation at the Zoological Institute at University of Salzburg

1992-1995: Leadership of projects of the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF) and of the Department of Science of the Government of the County of Salzburg; Topics: Postglacial resettlement; Beetles of Salzburg

1981-1989: Lectures at the Adult Education Center in Salzburg (Geology, Palaeontology and Astronautics)

1980-1995: freelance work at ZOBODAT, Linz (one of the most comprehensive biogeographical database of the world, situated until 1993 at the Institute of Computer Science at the Kepler-University of Linz, now at the Biologiezentrum Linz)

Various tasks concerning beetles and zoogeographical databases: i.e. data acquirement of about 180 000 beetle records, examination of the data quality, and data input; later managing, fund raising and supervision of data input by students; clarifying of geographical sites and of synonyms; concepts, requirements and specification of the user interface and retrieval

1980 - 1988: Identification and revision of a comprehensive part of the beetle collection of Salzburg (Haus der Natur) with emphasis on Chrysomelidae

Activity in scientific societies:

2020 – : Network of Biological Systematics in Austria (NOBIS-Austria): Treasurer

2005 – 2011: Editor of the Journal Entomologica Austriaca

2005 – 2011: Executive Manager of Austrian Entomological Society (OeEG)

1992 – 2011: Austrian Entomological Society (OeEG): member of the council

1995 – 2003: European Invertebrate Survey (EIS): member of the committee

Member of scientific societies:

Curriculum vitae

24.05.1952: born in Fürstenfeld, Austria

Education:

  • 1962 – 1970: Grammar school (Realgymnasium) in Eisenstadt
  • 1970 – 1976: Studying mathematics, biology, geology and chemistry at the University of Vienna
  • 1976 Master degree (Magister rer. nat.) and teacher's licence for grammar schools
  • 1976 – 1979: PhD thesis: Temperature adaption in the mitochondrial metabolism of Helix pomatia and Helix aspersa (Gastropoda)
  • 1979 PhD in Zoology

Employments:

  • 1979 - 1980: Teacher at the grammar school "Akademisches Gymnasium" in Salzburg
  • 1980 - 2001: Employed at the Natural History exhibition "Haus der Natur" in Salzburg

Tasks:

    -  Exhibition concepts in biology, astronomy, spacecraft, geology, palaeontology and ethnography
    -  guiding tours for pupils, students and other groups; various courses for kids
    -  curator of the mineralogical - geological collection until 1998, then curator of the living insects
    -  consulting service for pests
    -  computer administration and program adaptations

  • 2001 - 2017: Employed at Digital Elektronik (a worldwide operating mechatronic company) in Salzburg-Grödig, in the Department of Research and Development

Tasks:

    -  Software-Engineering (Program languages: mainly C#.net, Aspx.net, Delphi.net, Delphi-Win32, SQL, PL/SQL)
    -  Database-Applications with Oracle, Microsoft SQL-Server, Interbase/Firebird
    -  Testing
    -  Management of EU-Standards

Private:

  • 1962: Starting with piano lessons
  • 1968 - 1970: Studying piano at Haydn-Konservatorium Eisenstadt
  • 1968 - 1970: Organist at Franciscan church in Eisenstadt
  • 1969 - 1970: Member of Haydn-Choir
  • 1982: Marriage with Dipl. biol. Remigius Geiser
  • 1983: Birth of daughter Irmgard, now primary school teacher with emphasis on music education
  • 1988: Birth of son Remigius, now IT-Engineer

Miscellaneous

Activities during study and in the first years after university until full time employment:

  • Animal caretaker at Institute for Ethology at ÖAW (Austrian Academy of Science) in Wilheminenberg (Vienna)
  • Internship at Institute for Ecosystem Research at ÖAW in Donnerskirchen (near Neusiedler Lake); Topics: Applied Entomology (Pest control of the Colorado beetle) und Parasitology (Cercarial dermatitis)
  • Internship at Institute for Ethology at ÖAW in Grünau im Almtal (Upper Austria) with Konrad Lorenz: Ethological Studies on Owles
  • Internship at the Nuclear Research Center Seibersdorf (Lower Austria), Department of Chemistry: Quality control, photographic processing in the darkroom, statistical analysis
  • Summer job in tourism in Hevonlahti near Savonlinna (Finland): Maid and kitchen aid
  • Tutor at the Zoological Department at University of Vienna
  • Statistical analyses of didactic methodology at Universities of Vienna and Göttingen (Lower Saxony)
  • Survey of plant sociology of 60 peat bogs and surrounding areas in Schongau (Bavaria)
  • Tour guide with emphasis on biology and geology for travel groups (Salzburg Alps, South Carpathian mountains and Danubian Delta)

Hobbies:

Travelling to biogeographical – geological – historical interesting locations:

California: San Andreas fault, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park und others;

Florida; Jamaica

Iceland

Orkney Islands; Outer Hebrides; Northern Ireland; Cornwall; Greenwich prime meridian and many other sites of UK

Eastern Europe (many locations)

Siberia: Lake Baikal region


Classical music in the broadest sense: from Johann Sebastian Bach to John Williams and Hubert von Goisern and (almost) everything in between

Playing piano and visiting concerts and operas