Forschungsinteressen
Phd Thesis started in 2021
Experimental symbiont replacement in stored-grain pest beetles
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institute of Microbiology
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth, Prof. Dr. Kai Papenfort, Dr. Sybille Unsicker, Dr. Tobias Engl
I'm fascinated by intracellular symbioses between insects and microorganisms since they are a crucial factor in insect diversification. However, the lack of experimentally and genetically tractable systems limits our knowledge on their molecular basis. To study the early steps towards insect mutualisms, I work on establishing a novel model system where both host and symbiont are amenable to genetic manipulation using grain pest beetles and Sodalis bacteria.
Vita
Education
- M.Sc. in Biology, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, 2019-2021
- B.Sc. in Biology, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, 2016-2019
Awards
2024: IMPRS Presentation Award for Best Talk: (“Creating a genetically tractable symbiosis: experimental symbiont replacement in grain pest beetles”