since 2023 - PhD candidate in the Ramundo Group

2020 - 2023 - Master of Science, Molecular Biology at the University of Vienna

2015 - 2019 - Bachelor of Science, Biology at the University of Vienna

2024 – VBC Out Of The Box Award (together with Eva Kroetenheerdt)

Decoding MARS1 Signaling During the Chloroplast Unfolded Protein Response (cpUPR)

My project explores how chloroplasts communicate proteotoxic stress to the nucleus through the chloroplast unfolded protein response (cpUPR), a pathway essential for maintaining protein homeostasis and photosynthetic efficiency under environmental stress. I focus on the cytosolic kinase MARS1, a key cpUPR signaling component, to uncover how it is activated and how it transmits stress signals between cellular compartments. My work may provide broader insights into conserved mechanisms of kinase regulation and shed light on how cells orchestrate stress responses across organelle boundaries.

I am broadly interested in how cells sense and respond to stress, with a particular focus on cellular signaling pathways and kinase regulation. What fascinates me is how complex molecular communication networks maintain cellular balance and adapt to changing environments.

I enjoy working with photosynthetic organisms like algae, which play a vital role in global carbon cycling and offer great potential for sustainable biotechnology. I'm especially curious about how we can enhance their resilience and productivity under stress conditions.

In the long term, I aim to contribute to both basic and applied plant biology by combining fundamental insights in molecular biology with applications that support environmental sustainability.