Elena Giuliano
Elena Giuliano
Student / Programme Doctorate at D-USYS
ETH Zürich
Research Interests
I graduated in Environmental Biology (MSc) from the University of Turin. During my studies, I have always been interested in plant science and plant-microbe interactions and I had the opportunity to work on different subjects ranging from plant-fungi interactions and plant in vitro culture to plant electrophysiology and nutritional status. My latest research experiences mainly focused on plant resistance mechanisms against pests under nutrient deficiency as well as the role of microbial volatiles in plant protection against biotic stress. My current research interests center around plant microbiome functioning as well as plant tolerance mechanisms and improvement strategies in agricultural systems.
My PhD at ETH focuses on the project titled “Root microbiome selection and mechanisms to improve tolerance of maize to nitrogen stress and drought”, which awarded an ETH Research Grant. I will work on this project with my supervisors Dr. Martin Hartmann and Prof. Dr. Johan Six, Dr. Tania Galindo-Castañeda and other collaborators. The project involves three controlled greenhouse experiments, which will be conducted by using mesocosms systems and an experimental setup already tested by the postdoctoral project ROOTPHENOBIOME at ETH. My aim is to explore the synergism between root phenotypes and microbiomes under nitrogen deficiency and drought. I will study how different maize genotypes (ancient lines and modern hybrids) affect root microbiome composition and functioning under these conditions as well as how root microbiome selection can influence plant performance under combined stresses.,
Education
In progress: Ph.D. Environmental System Science, ETH - Zurich
2020 MSc Environmental Biology, University of Turin (IT)
2017 BSc Biology, University of Turin (IT)