Research creates perspectives: Anton Potapov (Senckenberg, IHI)
June 2026
For Professor Dr. Anton Potapov, the journey leads from Moscow to Görlitz. At the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, he will head the Department of Soil Zoology and simultaneously serve as a jointly appointed professor at the International Institute of Higher Education (IHI) Zittau of the TU Dresden. The position is a perfect fit for his research profile. In this interview, he explains why this move has been worthwhile for him and his family and what makes Görlitz such a special research location.
Who are you and what are you working or researching?
I am a scientist. I come from Moscow and currently work as a professor and head of the Department of Soil Zoology at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Görlitz. We study small animals that live in the soil because they are very important for our ecosystems.
Why did you come to Görlitz and what convinced you to work here?
There was a permanent position that perfectly matched my research profile. This was an opportunity I shouldn't miss.
How did you experience your arrival in Görlitz and what do you like about living in the city?
It wasn't an easy decision for the whole family, especially for the children, because every move means losing social contacts. But we enjoy many aspects of our life in Görlitz. Everything is close together, and the facilities aren't overcrowded, so we can make good use of our free time.
What makes the science region around Görlitz special from your point of view?
In my field of research, Görlitz was and is probably the most important center of expertise in Germany – and unique in many European countries.
What surprised you most about Görlitz or about your work here?
In Görlitz I met many very nice colleagues, and we have a pleasant professional community that allows us to look ahead together and plan ambitious projects.
About the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz
The Görlitz Museum of Natural History has stood for scientific research and knowledge dissemination for more than 200 years. As part of the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research, more than 100 employees work on issues of biodiversity, the interactions between organisms and their environment, and the future of ecosystems in the context of global change. Their work is based on scientific collections comprising approximately 7 million objects.
Through its involvement in academic teaching and the communication of scientific knowledge to a broad public through exhibitions, educational programs and research projects, the museum strengthens the Lausitz science region.
Text: Senckenberg Society for Natural Research
This portrait was created in cooperation with Hi!Lusatia eV as part of the exhibition “Hi!Lusatia – Research creates perspectives” in the Brüderstraße Gallery in Görlitz.
