Maximilian PALUCH

Maximilian Paluch is a biologist specialised in microbials for biocontrol. He heads the department “Application Strategies Biological Control” at the Julius Kühn Institute, Institute for Biological Control and is involved in the development of innovative application strategies of microbials and natural substances to ensure their reliable effectiveness in the field.

His journey in biological control began with his master’s thesis at the Julius Kühn Institute, Institute for Biological Control, where he developed a formulation based on the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria brongniartii and tested it on an organic apple orchard against Melolontha melolontha.

In this subsequent PhD project at the Julius Kühn Institute, Institute for Plant Protection in Field Crops and Grassland, he worked on the biological control of wireworms in potato cultivation using the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum. He identified factors that influence the effectiveness of mycoinsecticides and analysed the concept of efficacy in the context of biocontrol.

Afterwards, Max research focused on the production and formulation of nematophagous fungi for the control of Heterodera schachtii in sugar beet. The aim was to select a suitable fungal isolate, taking into account factors relevant to production, formulation and application, and to develop an application strategy tailored to the biological activity of the fungus.

From 2022 to 2025, Max worked as Regulatory Affairs Manager at Andermatt Group AG in Switzerland. In this role, he managed international registration projects for microbial plant protection products, pheromone products and biostimulants. At the same time, he expanded his profile with a postgraduate degree in business administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Bern.

Max is an active member of the Scientific Society for Plant Protection and Plant Health in Germany and has presented his work at national and international conferences as well as in his dissertation and publications.