Torsten focuses his world-wide taxonomic and systematic research on flies and, in particular, on the diverse assassin flies (Asilidae, robber flies) and mydas flies (Mydidae). He is especially interested in the species diversity of flies (and other insects) that inhabit harsh desertbenvironments. His research takes him regularly to Gobabeb. Since 2012, several new species of Asilidae and Mydidae from the Namib have been published so far. 

Torsten established the iNaturalist projects on Diptera of Gobabeb (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/diptera-of-gobabeb) and Gobabeb insects, arachnids, and myriapods (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/gobabeb-insects-arachnids-and-myriapods). He is a GBIF Biodiversity Open Data Ambassador (www.gbif.org) and shares his research data widely through cybertaxonomic tools and open data depositories. 

Torsten first came to southern Africa in 1999 when he studied two semesters of Entomology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg. This is also where his taxonomic research on Afrotropical flies started through collaboration and research at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum. To this day, he has close ties to the NMSA as a Research Associate. 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4816-2909

@GobabebRSH