P3 Lecturer, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK (2017‒present) Independent Research Group Leader, Department of Biology, Molecular Phytopathology, University of Hamburg, Germany (2015‒2017) Principal Investigator (Junior Professor) and BMBF BioEnergie 2021 Grant Winner. Department of Biology, Molecular Phytopathology, University of Hamburg, Germany (2009‒2014) Post-doctoral researcher in Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California at Berkeley, USA (2008‒2009) Post-doctoral researcher and DFG Research Scholar in the Department of Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution, Stanford University, USA (2006‒2008) Post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Biology, Molecular Phytopathology, University of Hamburg, Germany (2005‒2006) PhD in Biology ‘The secreted lipase FGL1 of the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein) Pech) is a novel virulence factor and suppresses plant defense in Triticum aestivum (L)’, Molecular Phytopathology, University of Hamburg, Germany (2002‒2005) MSc in Biology, University of Hamburg, Germany (2001‒2002)

Plant pathogens cause tremendous losses in crop yield each year and frequently contaminate crops with toxins that have a massive impact on human and animal health. Among the diverse group of plant pathogens, fungi represent one of the most important groups of causal agents for plant diseases. My research focuses on plant defence mechanisms that take place at early stages of fungal infection. One of the main targets is to analyse structural changes of the plant cell wall, which is the first barrier of defence most fungal pathogens encounter. To understand fundamental regulatory mechanisms of cell modification and adaption, my studies are initially carried out in the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon. In my work, I combine advanced techniques in molecular and cellular imaging as well as biochemistry and analytics. This knowledge will help: gain a deeper insight into adapted, structural cell wall changes apply new strategies in optimising cell wall architecture in major crops like wheat and maize to improve disease resistance and support food security define new approaches for advanced biomass conversion for future bio-refinery applications to mitigate climate change.