My study concerns the development of expertise in the context of life sciences. I am particularly interested in questions that deal with the challenges related to conceptual understanding of complex phenomena. In addition, I’m intriguided, how learning and teaching can support students' systemic understanding. In that, we need profound and versatile understanding of cognitive processes combined with investigation of learning of different hands-on skills. Therefore, I utilize both surveys and process-level methodology, such as eye tracking.

My reserach deals with the development of expertise during university studies in teacher education and in life sciences (biology, pharmacy and medicine). I am particularly interested in the role of conceptual knowledge in problem-solving situations and learning of practical, hands-on skills and how the development of adaptive expertise can be facilitated via instruction.