Our Expert team

Behind K.A.R.L.^® is a team of experienced geoscientists - not pure theorists, but practitioners who check dikes in all weather conditions or inspect port facilities.

The K.A.R.L.-Team consists of:

 

Dr. Fee Arens

During her studies of earth sciences at the universities of Mainz and Bonn, Fee Arens dealt with natural hazards, such as volcanism, earthquakes, landslides, and those related to climate change (e.g., sea level rise). During an internship in Mexico, she assisted the university of Colima in monitoring the nearby active volcano. During her PhD in volcanology at the university of Bristol (UK) Fee Arens investigated processes which can lead to a volcanic eruption. Since February 2023 Fee Arens has complemented the K.A.R.L. team and is responsible for K.A.R.L. development. She is a contact person for our clients, especially for expert analyses.

 

Sarah Friedrichsen

During her bachelor studies in applied geography at RWTH Aachen University, Sarah Friedrichsen supported the K.A.R.L. team as a working student. She was able to expand and intensify her main areas of study in the fields of climate change and natural hazards during her subsequent master's studies at the University of Bonn. Since July 2021 she has been a permanent employee of the K.A.R.L. team and is responsible for the further development of K.A.R.L. as well as a contact person for our clients, especially for expert analyses.

 

Dr. Luise Fröhlich

While studying meteorology at the University of Cologne, the research of Luise Fröhlich focused on changing frequency and severity of storms and their damage potential due to climate change. During her doctorate, she analyzed meteorological phenomena that can lead to extreme precipitation events. Subsequently, Luise Fröhlich worked for several years at Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, where she dealt extensively with the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, in particular with the ash transport during volcanic eruptions. She has been part of the K.A.R.L. team since September 2019 and is responsible for the further development of K.A.R.L. and as contact person for our clients, especially for expert analyses.

 

Matthias Müller

Already during his study as a diploma geophysicist, Matthias Müller dealt with natural hazards, in particular, flood, earthquakes and volcanism.
He began his professional career as a freelance geoscientific advisor. Together with Dr. Hans-Leo Paus, Matthias Müller developed the first preliminary models, which form the basis of K.A.R.L. today. He gained additional knowledge in data processing and programming during his four years as an IT consultant. At the same time he completed a master's degree in business management. Matthias Müller has been working for KA Köln.Assekuranz Agentur GmbH since 2011. As head of the K.A.R.L. team, he is the right contact person for questions concerning K.A.R.L. and our diverse service offers.

 

Dr. Hans-Leo Paus

Even as a child, Hans-Leo Paus raved about any fossil he found or if an extinct volcano was visible on the horizon.
After studying geology in Cologne and Aachen, he started his own business and worked for seven years with his own engineering office. Focus: civil engineering, environmental protection and computer development. Then Hans-Leo Paus switched to the insurance industry and developed clean up concepts based on mathematical computer models for contamination in groundwater. Between 2003 and 2015 he was a guest lecturer at the Geographical Institute of the University of Bonn on the "Insurability of Natural Hazards". In 2008 Hans-Leo Paus changed to KA Köln.Assekuranz Agentur GmbH and started on the configuration of K.A.R.L.. In 2016 he transferred the responsibility for K.A.R.L. to his successor Matthias Müller, but Hans-Leo Paul remains an active member of the K.A.R.L. team. For all questions concerning K.A.R.L. and for on-site analyses he is the right contact person.

 

Jan Sieger

Alongside his studies in business administration with a focus on sales and logistics management at the universities of Bonn and Fulda, Jan Sieger gained sales experience across various industries including e-commerce, digital advertising platforms, and insurance. Following this, he worked as a project manager in sales at a full-service marketing agency, overseeing different projects and consistently enhancing workflow efficiencies and customer relationships. Since April 2024, Jan Sieger has joined the team, with his primary focus on the sales orientation of K.A.R.L. He is the contact person for our clients regarding inquiries, pricing, and service offerings.

 

Sven Wichert

In addition to his studies as a diploma geophysicist at the University of Cologne, Sven Wichert worked as a working student at an international insurance company in the field of natural hazards. Besides that he participated in a variety of geophysical measurement campaigns.
During a five-year employment as an IT specialist he expanded his knowledge in programming, software maintenance and data processing.
Since January 2017 he has been part of the K.A.R.L. team. He is responsible for the care and development of K.A.R.L. as well as the establishment of a geographic information system. For technical questions about K.A.R.L. you can contact Sven Wichert.