Yakov Kuzyakov

Yakov Kuzyakov (27 August 1963) is a soil scientist and ecologist, professor and the head of the department of Soil Science of Temperate Ecosystems and the department of Agricultural Soil Science at the University of Gottingen. Kuzyakov is one of the most frequently cited soil scientists worldwide. 
Research and career.
Kuzyakov graduated in 1986 from the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg in Halle. He defended his PhD at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Moscow) in 1990 under the supervision of Alexey Fokin. Then he headed the radioisotopic laboratory from 1990 to 1993 over there. Later in 1993 Kuzyakov continued his research career at the Humboldt University of Berlin and Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops. In 1997 he completed the habilitation at the University of Hohenheim under the supervision of Prof. . In 2006 he took up a professorship at the department of Agroecosystem Research at the University of Bayreuth. Since 2011, he heads the department of Soil Science of Temperate Ecosystems and the department of Agricultural Soil Science at the University of Gottingen.
Research interests.
Kuzyakov specialises in soil ecology and soil biogeochemistry, rhizosphere processes, agriculture, land use and land degradation, agroecology, C and N cycles, in application of radioactive and stable isotope labelling approaches in soil science. His research group conducts research in all climatic zones including cold deserts, tropical areas and in various ecosystems (agricultural lands, forests, mountains, pastures, etc). The collaboration includes the projects with other research groups from Germany, Russia, China, Chili, Italy, Indonesia, USA, UK and Australia. 
Scientific achievements.
Kuzyakov is a highly-cited researcher in the field of Agricultural Sciences for the 2015—2020, he was also included in the list of the most cited Russian scientists in 2017. The H-index is 73 (Scopus database). Yakov has published more than 570 scientific papers, indexed by Web of Science database which include:
He developed new concepts of Priming effect, Microbial hotspots and hot moments in soil, Transformation of low-molecular organic compounds in soil, Rhizosphere dynamics and stationarity, Root exudation and its localisation, Visualization of enzyme activity in soil, Competition between microorganisms and roots for nutrients, Pedogenic carbonates, Agropedogenesis, Partitioning and quantification of CO2 sources, Biochar stability and etc. These concepts were investigated in the frame of global climate change conditions: global warming, elevated СО2 in the atmosphere, drought, N deposition and soil degradation. He is the first to use position specific isotope labelling, 14СО2 and 13СО2 plant labelling combined with autoradiography and zymography coupling with biomarkers. The concepts, ideas and methodical approaches developed by Yakov Kuzyakov group stimulated many research directions worldwide.
Editorship.
Kuzyakov is an editor in several highly-rated scientific journals, such as:
Awards.
During his research career he has received various awards:
Kuzyakov is also a visiting professor in various universities.