Ruben Sommaruga graduated in Biological Oceanography from the University of Uruguay in Montevideo and pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.  Following a three-year postdoc within an EU project, he attained tenure (Habilitation) at the latter institution. Since 2011 he has held the position of Full Professor of Limnology, leading the research unit on Alpine Freshwater Ecology at the Institute of Ecology. Additionally, he  served as the Institute's director from 2012 to 2020. For over three decades, his research has predominantly centered on high-elevation lakes and used a multidisciplinary approach to understand the adaptation of organisms, particularly of planktonic ones, to the unique challenges posed by these ecosystems and their rapidly changing environmental conditions. At SIL, he actively participates in various committees (Tonolli and Wetzel Awards), while presently chairing the Brian Moss Student Award. Recognitions for his scientific contributions include the admission in the European Academy of Sciences, the International Ecology Institute's Prize for Professional Excellence in Limnetic Ecology and the Scientific Award from the Principality of Liechtenstein among others. His involvement extends beyond research as he has served as an editor and member of several editorial boards and dedicated 12 years to the Austrian Science Fund as a member of the Scientific Board. He has over 150 scientific publications that span from physical limnology to biogeochemistry, microbial, zooplankton, and virus ecology, as well as climate change effects on lakes.