Professor Zarfl is an Assistant Professor for Environmental Systems Analysis at the Universität Tübingen, a guest Scientist at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Berlin and a Co-speaker of the Platform "Environmental System Analytics". Her main research interests are in environmental pollution and infrastructure development especially in freshwater ecosystems. Her research employs mathematical modelling in combination with empirical and experimental data to understand underlying processes and interdependencies.