PhD candidates
DC01: Prakhar Bhardwaj
JW Goethe University Frankfurt am main
Nationality: Indian
Master degree: Central University of Punjab Bathinda, India
What was the title of your master thesis?
Investigating somatic embryogenesis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
Investigating somatic embryogenesis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Priming induced morphological and physiological adaptation of tomato to heat stress
Priming induced morphological and physiological adaptation of tomato to heat stress
What do you like best about your new location?
Unique contrast between it's modern skyscrapers and the traditional houses that still preserve the historic essence of this city
Unique contrast between it's modern skyscrapers and the traditional houses that still preserve the historic essence of this city
What do you still need to get used to?
Seeing so many deductions from my salary before receiving it
Seeing so many deductions from my salary before receiving it
DC02: Maria Iqbal
Goethe University Frankfurt
Nationality: Pakistan
Master degree: Biotechnologies for Food Science, University of Padova, Italy
What was the title of your master thesis?
Establishment of a quadruplex probe qPCR assay for molecular detection and quantification of different fungal MBCAs
Establishment of a quadruplex probe qPCR assay for molecular detection and quantification of different fungal MBCAs
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
The key objective would be how alternative RNA splicing contributes to heat-stress memory in tomato and how it interacts with chromatin and transcriptional memory to regulate thermotolerance.
The key objective would be how alternative RNA splicing contributes to heat-stress memory in tomato and how it interacts with chromatin and transcriptional memory to regulate thermotolerance.
What do you like best about your new location?
The city is vibrant and very international.
The city is vibrant and very international.
What do you still need to get used to?
Long routes of this big city
Long routes of this big city
DC03: Supriya Singh
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Nationality: Indian
Master degree: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India
What was the title of your master thesis?
Understanding the molecular basis of liquid-liquid phase separation along with its solidification
Understanding the molecular basis of liquid-liquid phase separation along with its solidification
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Regulation and role of autophagy in priming-induced stem cell activity and heat stress protection
Regulation and role of autophagy in priming-induced stem cell activity and heat stress protection
What do you like best about your new location?
Goettingen is small and peaceful city. No big city chaos, which is honestly a luxury.
Goettingen is small and peaceful city. No big city chaos, which is honestly a luxury.
What do you still need to get used to?
Definitely the German language and shops being closed on Sunday.
Definitely the German language and shops being closed on Sunday.
DC04: Demilade Olabode Aliu
University of Glasgow
Nationality: Nigerian
Master degree: University of Aveiro, Portugal
What was the title of your master thesis?
Machine learning-based automation of ultrasonic welding parameters in industrial manufacturing
Machine learning-based automation of ultrasonic welding parameters in industrial manufacturing
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
To develop mathematical models to understand how priming protects the shoot apical meristem against heat stress, and to use these models to predict plant responses under different heat stress and priming conditions.
To develop mathematical models to understand how priming protects the shoot apical meristem against heat stress, and to use these models to predict plant responses under different heat stress and priming conditions.
What do you like best about your new location?
I really like how welcoming and multicultural Glasgow is, as well as the balance between city life and easy access to nature.
I really like how welcoming and multicultural Glasgow is, as well as the balance between city life and easy access to nature.
What do you still need to get used to?
The biology. Coming from a mathematics background, I am still getting used to the language and concepts of plant biology, but I am enjoying the learning process.
The biology. Coming from a mathematics background, I am still getting used to the language and concepts of plant biology, but I am enjoying the learning process.
DC05: Aldo Gariglio
Volcani Institute
Nationality: Mexican
Master degree: National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
What was the title of your master thesis?
Transformation of maize embryogenic callus with a vector enabling the study of the transcriptional response to auxins
Transformation of maize embryogenic callus with a vector enabling the study of the transcriptional response to auxins
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
My goal is to become a professional capable of developing strategies that ensure food security in the face of climate change.
My goal is to become a professional capable of developing strategies that ensure food security in the face of climate change.
What do you like best about your new location?
I like that it is an orderly and safe country, with a multicultural atmosphere.
I like that it is an orderly and safe country, with a multicultural atmosphere.
What do you still need to get used to?
To know how to identify trends from heterogeneous data.
To know how to identify trends from heterogeneous data.
DC06: Cecilia Rosa Mataloni
Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha
Nationality: Italian
Master degree: Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
What was the title of your master thesis?
Exploring reproduction under drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana: fertilization process in the drought-insensitive drm1drm2 double mutant
Exploring reproduction under drought stress in Arabidopsis thaliana: fertilization process in the drought-insensitive drm1drm2 double mutant
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
The project aims to identify and characterize the critical mechanisms underlying pollen thermotolerance and heat stress priming in tomato, focusing on transcriptional and translational levels. The research goal is to enhance crop resilience by comparing three tomato cultivars characterized by different heat stress tolerance, allowing to find the molecular determinants of thermotolerance.
The project aims to identify and characterize the critical mechanisms underlying pollen thermotolerance and heat stress priming in tomato, focusing on transcriptional and translational levels. The research goal is to enhance crop resilience by comparing three tomato cultivars characterized by different heat stress tolerance, allowing to find the molecular determinants of thermotolerance.
What do you like best about your new location?
I really appreciate the research team: my colleagues are supportive and very professional. I'm sure that over the next years I'll have the opportunity to learn a lot from them.
I really appreciate the research team: my colleagues are supportive and very professional. I'm sure that over the next years I'll have the opportunity to learn a lot from them.
What do you still need to get used to?
Since the project focuses on both the transcriptional and translational levels, I need to familiarize myself with research at the protein level. This is completely new to me.
Since the project focuses on both the transcriptional and translational levels, I need to familiarize myself with research at the protein level. This is completely new to me.
DC07: Neha Sharma
University of Potsdam
Nationality: Indian
Master degree: University of Hyderabad, India
What was the title of your master thesis?
In silico analysis and binary vector cloning of PRSV-HYD P1 and HC-Pro for in planta analysis
In silico analysis and binary vector cloning of PRSV-HYD P1 and HC-Pro for in planta analysis
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Control of leaf initiation at the shoot apical meristem by temperature priming
Control of leaf initiation at the shoot apical meristem by temperature priming
What do you like best about your new location?
I really like how green and walkable Potsdam is - the lakes and parks make it easy to switch off after a day at the bench. And having Berlin so close means I get a big city whenever I want one, without living in it
I really like how green and walkable Potsdam is - the lakes and parks make it easy to switch off after a day at the bench. And having Berlin so close means I get a big city whenever I want one, without living in it
What do you still need to get used to?
I'm still getting familiar with the local way of life and everyday routines. There are many small differences from home, which I'm gradually getting used to.
I'm still getting familiar with the local way of life and everyday routines. There are many small differences from home, which I'm gradually getting used to.
DC08: Iason Anastasios Lourantos
University of Milan
Nationality: Greek
Master degree: Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
What was the title of your master thesis?
Investigation of the role of tomato genes involved in phosphorus uptake
Investigation of the role of tomato genes involved in phosphorus uptake
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
The key objective is to identify the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying stress priming in tomato under heat and drought stress, with a focus on reproductive development, and to identify genes and resilient tomato lines with enhanced stress tolerance.
The key objective is to identify the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying stress priming in tomato under heat and drought stress, with a focus on reproductive development, and to identify genes and resilient tomato lines with enhanced stress tolerance.
What do you like best about your new location?
What I like best about my new location is the supportive and collaborative research environment. The laboratory is fully equipped with all the necessary tools and resources for my experiments, while my supervisor and the other members of the lab are always available to advise and guide me. I also really value the opportunities to participate in workshops and conferences, where I can discuss my project and learn about new techniques and research methods from other scientific groups.
What I like best about my new location is the supportive and collaborative research environment. The laboratory is fully equipped with all the necessary tools and resources for my experiments, while my supervisor and the other members of the lab are always available to advise and guide me. I also really value the opportunities to participate in workshops and conferences, where I can discuss my project and learn about new techniques and research methods from other scientific groups.
What do you still need to get used to?
Moving to a new laboratory and adapting to a new country is certainly a demanding process. However, after seven months, I feel that I have already adapted to a great extent, both to the laboratory environment and to life in Milan in general. There are still some small things to get used to, but overall, I feel comfortable into my new environment.
Moving to a new laboratory and adapting to a new country is certainly a demanding process. However, after seven months, I feel that I have already adapted to a great extent, both to the laboratory environment and to life in Milan in general. There are still some small things to get used to, but overall, I feel comfortable into my new environment.
DC09: Josipa Drmić
University of Glasgow
Nationality: Croatian
Master degree: Molecular biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
What was the title of your master thesis?
Quantification of NAC041, NAC084, DREB2A, and HSFA2 gene expression in wild cabbage (Brassica incana) exposed to abiotic stress
Quantification of NAC041, NAC084, DREB2A, and HSFA2 gene expression in wild cabbage (Brassica incana) exposed to abiotic stress
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Dissect how plants converge light and temperature sensing and signaling pathways to optimize growth and thermotolerance.
Dissect how plants converge light and temperature sensing and signaling pathways to optimize growth and thermotolerance.
What do you like best about your new location?
The vibrant and inspiring atmosphere of Glasgow's West End.
The vibrant and inspiring atmosphere of Glasgow's West End.
What do you still need to get used to?
The unpredictable and ever-changing weather.
The unpredictable and ever-changing weather.
DC10: Aristotelis Tampakis
Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP) - Agencia Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Nationality: Greek
Master degree: Applications in Biology, Specialization: Biotechnology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
What was the title of your master thesis?
Genetic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for increased lipogenesis and byproduct utilization
Genetic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for increased lipogenesis and byproduct utilization
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
Exploit genetic diversity to elucidate the molecular genetic basis underlying differences in priming for heat tolerance (HT) in tomato and develop molecular priming strategies to improve crop adaptation to increasing temperatures
Exploit genetic diversity to elucidate the molecular genetic basis underlying differences in priming for heat tolerance (HT) in tomato and develop molecular priming strategies to improve crop adaptation to increasing temperatures
What do you like best about your new location?
I really appreciate the combination of a vibrant research environment and the beautiful city and culture of Valencia.
I really appreciate the combination of a vibrant research environment and the beautiful city and culture of Valencia.
What do you still need to get used to?
I'm still getting used to the city's pace of life and the exciting experience of doing research here.
I'm still getting used to the city's pace of life and the exciting experience of doing research here.
DC12: Maryam Haghmadad Milani
Cyprus University of Technology
Nationality: Iranian
Master degree: University of Maragheh, Iran
What was the title of your master thesis?
Application of chitosan-coated proline nanocomposite to increase Mentha spicata L. tolerance to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) toxicity
Application of chitosan-coated proline nanocomposite to increase Mentha spicata L. tolerance to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) toxicity
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
1) To achieve thermotolerance in tomato by chemical and/or nanomaterial priming treatments at a plant and/or seed level. 2) To map the molecular profile of primed plants and generate networks for predictive priming-induced thermotolerance models. 3) To generate marker lines to further optimize priming approaches reaching advanced TRL status.
1) To achieve thermotolerance in tomato by chemical and/or nanomaterial priming treatments at a plant and/or seed level. 2) To map the molecular profile of primed plants and generate networks for predictive priming-induced thermotolerance models. 3) To generate marker lines to further optimize priming approaches reaching advanced TRL status.
What do you like best about your new location?
What I like most about my new location is the welcoming and international atmosphere. I really enjoy discovering the local culture, meeting people from different backgrounds, and experiencing a new way of life while being part of an inspiring academic environment. I also enjoy working in a laboratory with international students, as it allows me to strengthen my connections with fellow students and professors, exchange ideas, and learn from their diverse experiences and perspectives.
What I like most about my new location is the welcoming and international atmosphere. I really enjoy discovering the local culture, meeting people from different backgrounds, and experiencing a new way of life while being part of an inspiring academic environment. I also enjoy working in a laboratory with international students, as it allows me to strengthen my connections with fellow students and professors, exchange ideas, and learn from their diverse experiences and perspectives.
What do you still need to get used to?
I am still getting used to some aspects of living and working in a new country, such as adapting to a different daily routine, local customs, and the way things are organized. I am also getting used to working in a new academic environment and building new professional relationships. However, I see these experiences as valuable opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow both personally and professionally.
I am still getting used to some aspects of living and working in a new country, such as adapting to a different daily routine, local customs, and the way things are organized. I am also getting used to working in a new academic environment and building new professional relationships. However, I see these experiences as valuable opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow both personally and professionally.
DC11: Yu Pan
Université Paris-Saclay, France
Nationality: Chinese
Master degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.), Zhejiang University, China
What was the title of your master thesis?
A Thermo-Sensitive OsMYC2 Allele Coordinates Spikelet Development with Temperature via Protein Stability
A Thermo-Sensitive OsMYC2 Allele Coordinates Spikelet Development with Temperature via Protein Stability
What is the key objective of your PhD project?
My PhD project aims to understand how heat priming is encoded, maintained, and recalled in tomato. Specifically, I seek to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress memory and how plants use previous heat exposure to respond more effectively to subsequent heat stress.
My PhD project aims to understand how heat priming is encoded, maintained, and recalled in tomato. Specifically, I seek to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying heat stress memory and how plants use previous heat exposure to respond more effectively to subsequent heat stress.
What do you like best about your new location?
What I like most about my new location is the stimulating research environment and the friendly, supportive atmosphere within my research group. I really appreciate the positive relationships with my supervisor and colleagues.
What I like most about my new location is the stimulating research environment and the friendly, supportive atmosphere within my research group. I really appreciate the positive relationships with my supervisor and colleagues.
What do you still need to get used to?
I am still getting used to the local food and language, but I enjoy experiencing a new culture and gradually adapting to life here.
I am still getting used to the local food and language, but I enjoy experiencing a new culture and gradually adapting to life here.