Pia Bethge

Pia is a PhD student in a collaborative project between the Chairs of General Microbiology and Food Chemistry at TUD Dresden University of Technology. Her research explores the structure, composition, and growth of water kefir grains and their associated microbial population in response to different fermentation ingredients. She joined the group in May 2025 to further investigate the dynamics and stability of such complex microbial communities.

Pia’s current work focuses on the development of KefirConnect, a citizen science platform that connects water kefir enthusiasts and researchers. Through the project, she is interested in how microbial communities spread, evolve, and persist through social exchange networks.

Interests

Food Microbiology and Food Safety
Fermentations
Water Kefir
Microbial Communities and Interactions

Education

Since 2021 PhD Student, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Chair of General Microbiology
2021 Diploma in Food Chemistry (Diploma Food Chemist), TUD Dresden University of Technology, Chair of Food Chemistry