The focus of Dr. Winkler’s research is in the area of environmental biotechnology. Her research emphasizes on the application of micro-organisms, for sustainable water reclamation and resource recovery. The applied methodologies are process engineering / reactor technology, microbial ecology, and mathematical modeling. Winkler is active in both, applied science and fundamental research on metabolic mechanisms of microorganisms. Her main research interests are the biogeochemistry of nitrogen and carbon compounds and the microbial communities that sustain these nutrient cycles. Besides academic research, her professional curriculum includes industrial experience in the water and wastewater sector, which shapes her application driven research endeavors. She has long-term international research experiences in the US and abroad and has established multiple international collaborations. She has supervised 30 Master, Bachelor, and PhD students to their mutual satisfaction.