I am a dedicated and passionate researcher with a strong background in plant-soil microbial interactions. With over 10 years of experience in the field, and a PhD in Plant pathology, I have developed a deep understanding of the complex relationships between plants, soil, and microorganisms.

My research has focused on understanding how these interactions can be leveraged to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. I am always eager to explore new research avenues and collaborate with other scientists to advance our understanding of plant-soil microbial interactions aiming to apply this knowledge to develop innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

There is a need for innovative approaches and robust experimental designs in plant-soil-microbial interactions research to address the following challenges.

Understanding the Complexity: The interactions between plants and soil microbes are incredibly complex, with a multitude of species interacting in various ways. This complexity makes it difficult to isolate specific interactions and understand their effects.

Experimental Limitations: Most research in this field relies on short-term greenhouse experiments, which may not accurately reflect the long-term dynamics of plant-soil-microbial interactions in natural environments.

Global Change: The ongoing global changes, such as climate change and habitat loss, pose significant challenges to studying plant-soil-microbial interactions. These changes can alter the composition and function of microbial communities, making it difficult to predict and understand their effects on plant health and productivity.

Soil Health and Fertility: The continuous and prolonged use of chemical-heavy agricultural systems has impacted most agricultural lands, resulting in plateaued or reduced productivity. Restoring soil health and fertility is a major challenge.

Soil borne Pathogens: Some pathogenic bacteria and fungi persist in the soil causing plant necrosis and exerting long-term effects on the survival of plants. Managing these pathogens is a significant challenge.

Currently, I am conducting research and teaching in agricultural biology, soil science, and crop protection. The focus of my research is on harnessing soil-plant-microbial interactions for sustainable management of agroecosystems, through developing new resources to enhance sustainable agricultural production systems by efficient pest and pathogen management, and improvement of soil health and fertility. I am also exploring the use of marine macroalgae for developing agrochemicals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.