In brief: I am incoming tenure-track junior professor (Chair de Professeur Junior starting December 2024) and biologist specializing in molecular biophysics, biosensor engineering, single-molecule techniques, and microbiology. My expertise spans the study of pathogens and beneficial microbes, particularly in plant-microbe interactions. My passion for science has led me to pursue this as my dream career. My research focus into understanding plant-microbe dynamics, exploring why microbes adopt a pathogenic or beneficial lifestyle, and unraveling the mechanisms behind their successful colonization of host organisms and interactions with them. I am particularly interested by the evolutionary forces driving microbe behavior, whether it be egoistic or mutualistic.

My work necessitates a deep dive into host-microbe communications, requiring me to be an observer within the system. To achieve this, I use  fluorophore-based biosensors combined with advanced imaging techniques and microfluidics. These tools allow me to track and analyze microbial activities within their host environments effectively and to address further questions using various omics technologies.

Beyond research, I am deeply committed to advancing diversity and equity in STEM fields through active engagement in teaching, mentoring, and advocacy. On this website, you can have further info my journey, research interests, and the initiatives I support.

In more detail: Throughout my PhD at Juelich Research Center and subsequent postdoc at HHU, I honed my skills in molecular biophysics and biosensor engineering. Specifically, I focused on developing genetically encoded biosensors capable of measuring analyte levels in vivo within specific organisms. These biosensors serve as invaluable tools for unraveling intricate biological processes, such as cellular responses to environmental cues."

Currently, I am getting a closer look into the intricate questions of bacterial plant-microbe interactions, encompassing both beneficial and pathogenic strains.  Therefore, my focus lies in unraveling how microbes interact with the host plants. At the core of our research are hypotheses based on the idea that microbes colonize hosts to create optimal conditions for their multiplication. For bacterial plant-microbes, multiplication is intricately tied to nutrition. Thus, my research centers on how these unicellular organisms acquire nutrients and establish communication networks, both amongst themselves and with the host, to facilitate colonization, nutrition and multiplication within the unique environment of the host plant.

In many cases, the survival and multiplication of microbes lie on their optimal manipulation of host resources and their ability to outpace host defenses in a continuous race for dominance. Understanding these host-microbe interactions requires the ability to immerse oneself as an observer within the system—an endeavor that is as fascinating as it is challenging.

To this end, I employ biosensors and microfluidic devices  designed to detect changes in steady-state levels of molecules associated with nutrient transport, metabolism, and signaling within the microbe and the plant. By doing so, I aim to able to get better insights into the feeding habits and communication strategies of microbes within plant tissues and environment, as well as uncover the molecular mechanisms that underpin their success. This is possible by using an integrative approach which combined my expertise with different omics technologies.

The insights gained from studying microbe-host interactions are applicable across a spectrum of host-microbe systems. For example, evolutionary mechanisms driving virulence in pathogens mirror those found in various infectious agents, all of which must navigate the delicate balance of co-evolution with hosts while evading detection by the host's defense mechanisms.

In my research, I have, among others, worked on pathogens known to cause significant epidemiological challenges in crops, particularly in regions where these crops are vital for sustenance and economic stability. The resulting crop losses can have profound implications for local populations, often exacerbating food insecurity and public health concerns. Consequently, our research endeavors are underscored by a dual imperative: providing short-term solutions to crisis situations, such as developing tools for farmers, while simultaneously working towards long-term sustainability through the cultivation of resistant crop varieties and a deeper understanding of the factors influencing pathogen virulence. This holistic approach is essential for anticipating and mitigating the emergence of new pathogenic strains, drawing valuable insights from past epidemiological events.