Graduated in biology – zoology - from the University of Marburg/Lahn where he also received his Ph.D. with a phylogenetic analysis of a group of reptiles (African geckos) in 1983.
Postdoctoral research in Bonn and Yale University (USA). 1986-2003 curator of vertebrate zoology at the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, qualification as university lecturer (habilitation) and award of the Venia legendi at TU Darmstadt. 2003-2021 Director of the State Museum of Natural History at Braunschweig where he initiated more than 20 special exhibitions. At TU Braunschweig, lectures on the biology of reptiles, on dinosaurs and on evolution of mankind.
Research in zoology and paleontology, mainly on taxonomy and phylogenetics of reptiles, particularly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. More than 250 scientific articles on snakes, lizards, dinosaurs and mammals, 20 books. Past General Secretary of the European Herpetological Society (SEH) and the World Congress of Herpetology. Active in boards of various Nature conservation societies.
Currently he is President of the Braunschweig Natural History Society (Gesellschaft für Naturkunde) and editing a new edition of the reknown Handbook of Zoology, Reptile volumes.