Doctoral Researcher
angelika.kiebler@oulu.fi
My doctoral research project focuses on the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans – the only flying squirrel species in Europe.
I use whole-genome sequencing data investigate the species’ genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history for both in-situ populations (Finland; Estonia; globally) and ex-situ populations in European zoos and private holdings. Using this data, I want to support flying squirrel conservation in Europe by developing genetic monitoring tools for the Siberian flying squirrel.
Keywords
Current Projects
Grants & Funding
2025 – 2026, funding by Biodiverse Anthropocenes (PROFI6, ANTS)
1.5 years for conducting PhD studies
2022, travel grant, Nordplus
Travel grant to Svalbard for attending the course AB-332 Arctic Marine Molecular Ecology at UNIS.
About me
I originally come from Germany, but have been enjoying the subarctic climate of Oulu, Finland, since summer of 2021 ❄️
Here, I began working with the Biodiversity Genomics research group in 2023 during my master’s thesis and now continue building on the project as a doctoral student, studying the Siberian flying squirrel.
My main research interest lies in Applied Conservation Genomics. In other words, how we can use genetic knowledge to actively support – or even improve – current conservation practices. I am also interested in developing my skills in the fields of Evolutionary Genomics and Phylogeography.
Outreach
During my Master’s I have developed and started the
> Flying Squirrel Citizen Science project
Magazine Article: Wehrenberg, G. & Kiebler, A. (2025). Aufruf: Artenschutzforschung für Flughörnchen braucht Hilfe. Eliomys 1/2025, 14-15. (German)
Publications
2025
Peer-reviewed Publication: Ferreira da Silva, M. J., Colmonero‐Costeira, I., Djaló, S. L., Camará, T., Sá, R. M., Minhós, T., Kiebler, A., Grethlein, M., Pikkarainen, N. & Prost, S. (2025). Using miniaturized laboratory equipment and DNA barcoding to improve conservation genetics training and identify illegally traded species. Conservation Biology, e70165. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70165
Peer-reviewed Publication: Wehrenberg, G., Kiebler, A., Greve, C., Beltrán-Sanz, N., Ben Hamadou, A., Meißner, R., Winter, S., & Prost, S. (2025). A Prelude to Conservation Genomics: First Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of a Flying Squirrel (Pteromyini: Pteromys volans). Ecology and Evolution, e71905. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71905
Peer-reviewed Publication: Winter, S., Meißner, R., Grethlein, M., Wehrenberg, G., Kiebler, A., Silva, A. X., Escobar, N. R., Quesada Calderón, S. M., Suescún, A. V., Guzman Belmar, L., & Prost, S. (2025). Chromosome-Level genome assembly and transcriptome analysis of the ural owl, Strix uralensis PALLAS, 1771. Journal of Heredity, esaf038. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esaf038
2024
Peer-reviewed Publication: Olli, S., Lam, N. T., Hiljanen, S., Kettunen, T., Haikonen, L., Hyvönen, H. M., Kiebler, A., Köngäs, I., Minkkinen, S., Pöykiö, V., Sannikka, V., Vesa, R., Wehrenberg, G., Prost, S., & Prous, M. (2024). Large mitochondrial genomes in tenthredinid sawflies (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part A, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2024.2427206
2021
Peer-reviewed Publication: Pfenninger, M., Reuss, F., Kiebler, A., Schönnenbeck, P., Caliendo, C., Gerber, S., Cocchiararo, B., Reuter, S., Blüthgen, N., Mody, K., Mishra, B., Bálint, M., Thines, M., & Feldmeyer, B. (2021). Genomic basis for drought resistance in European beech forests threatened by climate change. eLife 10:e65532. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.65532
Theses
Master’s Thesis: Kiebler, A. (2025). Population genetics of the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in Finland using whole mitochondrial genomes. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:oulu-202504142578
Bachelor’s Thesis: Kiebler, A. (2020). Molekularbiologische Untersuchung vom Gesamtprotein und Gesamtlipid in Rotbuchen (Fagus sylvatica L.) unter Trockenstress. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24854.46409
Posters & Talks
2025
Presentation: Kiebler, A. (2025). In Search of the Flying Squirrel: A Tale of the Finnish Forest, Patience, and Poop. Session: Ecosystem Restoration Storytelling Slam: Transdisciplinarity in Performance. YHYS Fall Colloquium 2025, Oulu, Finland. 24th of October 2025.
Presentation: Kiebler, A. (2025). Population genetics of the Siberian flying squirrel in Finland is shaped by glacial retreat and land uplift during the Holocene. 12th Baltic Theriological Conference, Jaundome, Latvia. 27th March 2025. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26598.95048
Webinar: Kiebler, A. (2025). Flying squirrel in Finland: Populations Genetics and Citizen Science. Webinar for Metsähallitus: Siberian Flying Squirrel Genetics. 24th January 2025.
Population genetics: http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14854.89926
Citizen Science: http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21985.21602
2023
Poster: Kiebler, A. (2023). The Siberian Flying Squirrel, Project Plan: Citizen Science and Genetic Monitoring. 27th Kaamos Symposium 2023, Oulu, Finland. 1st December 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32025.33125
Personal interests:
