I did my PhD as a joint degree between Lund University (SWE) and NC State (US) in 2003. I then joined the team of Chris Somerville as a postdoc at the Carnegie Institution at Stanford University (2004 to 2007) after which I started as a Max-Planck group leader at the MPI-MP in Potsdam (DE). I was offered a full professorship at University of Melbourne (AUS) in 2014 where I spent the next five years as an ARC Future Fellow. During these years, I was awarded a JiaoTong scholarship as visiting researcher at HZAU and later at SJTU (CHN) where I still maintain a joint role. In 2020, I moved to Copenhagen University via the aid of Villum Investigator, NNF Laureate and DNRF chair awards. I am currently also the Head of Copenhagen Plant Science Center.

My name is Shuai Zheng, from China. I am interested in the regulation of cell wall biosynthesis. Traveling is an excellent way to enjoy my relaxing time.�

I am interested in the interplay between membrane lipids and membrane associated proteins in signaling pathway. During my PhD in Dr. Yvon Jaillais� lab, we unraveled the existence of a protein complex produding phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate at the plasma membrane. I am pursuing my work in the context of cellulose synthesis at the University of Copenhagen in the lab of Prof. Staffan Persson, studying how membrane signaling lipids can regulate cellulose synthase complex trafficking and dynamic.

My research interest lies at the interface between experimental optics and biology. Particularly, I am interested in developing new platforms of multi-dimensional imaging and visualization systems for identification of dynamic soft matters e.g. bio-samples. I completed the PhD in experimental Optics and Laser Physics at Shahid Beheshti University of Iran in 2020. I joined the Cellulose Synthesis research group at the Department of Plant and Environmental Science as a postdoc in 2021. My research aim is the development of label-free quantitative optical imaging methodologies for plant cell wall studies. I am very interested in Art and Literature and my further activities are Painting (portray and Vitray) and Persian poetry and songwriting. Link:�https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samira-Ebrahimi-4

I am Liu Wang, from China, where I finished my master study in China Agricultural University. I then joined Persson lab in the University of Melbourne in 2018 as a PhD student, during which I focused on revealing the functions of COMPANION OF CELLULOSE SYNTHASE (CC) proteins in an evolutionary context. During my postdoc in University of Copenhagen, I will explore how cellulose synthesis is regulated under salt stress.

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I am from China. I finished my MSc in the group of Johannes Liesche at Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, focusing on cell-cell communication via plasmodesmata. I completed my PhD in plant cell biology in Alexander Schulz’s group at the University of Copenhagen, where I investigated how the 3D anatomical structure of conifer needles influences their sugar and water transport efficiency. I joined Staffan Persson’s lab as a postdoc in 2024. My current research focuses on the formation and regulation of secondary cell wall.

I’m Beyza, born and raised in Turkey (Türkiye). I graduated with BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) then I moved to Germany to do a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences at LMU, Munich. I worked on plant carbohydrate metabolism and would like to extend my knowledge of plant cells by researching cellulose synthesis, regulation, protein interactions, and how fixed carbon plays a role in the cell wall with temperature changes. Therefore, I’ve started my PhD studies in Staffan Persson’s group to improve myself in these topics. Besides lab work, I’m interested in playing bass guitar, painting, video editing, and traveling.

I’m Ilaria from Italy, graduated from a MSc in molecular biotechnology and bioinformatics. I did my thesis research at KU with the Erasmus+ project on diterpenoids in coffee. My PhD is focused on unravelling cell wall synthesis components.

I got my bachelor’s degree in physics and master’s degree in electronics. I am now keen on optical imaging, and my aim is to build a microscope from scratch that can achieve high-resolution imaging in live plants!

Research: Investigating computational structural biochemistry of carbohydrate active enzymes. Fellowship: NNF Biotechnology Postdoc. Carlsberg Foundation and MSCA AgSk+ Fellow at INRAE Marseille. Activities and hobbies: DIB NyT�nk project promoting sustainable �green� technologies from Southeast Asia. Running, Football, red wine and Raspberry Pi.

Originally from Spain, I am currently a PostDoc in Biophysics at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) & Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) since 2021, both at the University of Copenhagen. I finished my Ph.D. in June 2018 at the Niels Bohr Institute (UCPH) in the Experimental biophysics and Optical manipulations group (former Optical Tweezers group). I used optical tweezers, thermoplasmonics, and a wide range of microscopy techniques applied to membrane proteins in cells and synthetic systems during my research. Formally trained as an acoustician and physicist, my current research interests fall at the crossroads of plant biophysics, optical tweezers, and single-molecule biophysics.

I started studying plant biology at Bordeaux University (France), and I then joined Olivier Hamant�group in Lyon (France) to do a PhD on how the cell cortex contributes to mechano-transduction during plant development. With a strong interest for developmental biology and interdisciplinary approaches, I studied the relative contribution of mechanical stress on cortical microtubule orientation using single cell system (Colin et al., 2020, PNAS). In parallel, I also investigated the role of the plasma membrane as a mechano-transducer, focusing on two major aspects of plant development. More recently, I joined the group as a post doc, to investigate plasma membrane-cytoskeleton anchoring mechanisms.

From China. Finished my PhD in plant cell biology in the Sampathkumar lab in MPI-MP, Germany. I am interested in the organization and dynamics of cytoskeleton, and the impact of cellular behavior on developmental aspects. From the August of 2022, I joined Staffan’s group to investigate the formation of leaf airspace, and the root growth behavior in soil, during the development of the model plant Arabidopsis.

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I was born in Spain and specialized in organic chemistry, with experience in the fields of transition metal catalysis, asymmetric chemistry, and photoredox. Currently, my research focuses on photoinduced proximity labeling of proteins within plants.

I graduated from a Bachelor of Applied Science (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) and Honours of Science (University of Melbourne) and have been in science for over 15 years in varying roles from diagnostic cytopathology, heart failure research and now, in plant research. I have moved from Melbourne, Australia to join Staffan's group as a laboratory supervisor, managing administrative tasks, procurement, safety and training for the group as well as assisting in general technician duties.

Born in Turkey. I received my bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics and master’s degree in Biotechnology at Izmir Institute of Technology. Currently, I am a PhD student, also working as a teaching assistant in Persson Group. My research topic focuses on carbohydrate partitioning and shade signaling in plants. I like teaching a lot, that is why I decided to pursue a career in academy. I enjoy watching and playing football, performing music, exploring different languages and cultures, and playing video games on my free time.

I am a PhD student from Canada who aims to investigate the cell wall integrity signaling pathway in the red macroalgae nori. I completed both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Canada at the University of Alberta and the University of Toronto respectively. During my Master’s degree, I helped develop promoter-reporter gene fusions that could be used to monitor cell wall signaling in real-time. Building off my interest in the cell wall integrity signaling pathway, my PhD project will explore the pathway with an evolutionary perspective in an unconventional model organism.

Hi! I’m Junyue from China. After completing my bachelor's degree at Beijing Normal University, I came to the University of Copenhagen in 2023 to pursue my master's degree and join the Persson Lab. Currently, I am working on my project focusing on the structure of CESA3 and CESA6. In my spare time, I enjoy playing football, cooking, and traveling :)

My research interest is to identify mechanisms that connect signaling pathways with metabolism in plants. Presently I am investigating how vegetation shade signals regulate resource allocation in seedlings. When I’m not working I like to spend time with my family, and occasionally I get to go running, biking or swimming.

I’m a Copenhagen native and a postdoc in the Persson lab, specializing in structural biology. My research focuses on understanding protein functionality, regulation, and complex assembly. I obtained a PhD in plant biochemistry from University of Copenhagen in 2019 and moved to Aarhus University to do 3-year postdoc studying root nodule symbiosis of legumes in the Plant Molecular Biology group. I then received a Carlsberg Foundation fellowship for a second postdoc at New York University, investigating plant membrane receptor complexes using cryo-EM. I hope that my plant biochemistry background and structural biology passion can help guide exciting plant experiments that will bring us closer to understanding important plant machinery.

From Canada, where I completed a BSc at the University of Prince Edward Island and an MSc at McGill University. My PhD research was carried out as a joint program between the University of Melbourne and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, where I investigated how the plant cell wall is regulated by nutrients and specific herbicides. My current research focuses on two main topics: investigating the mechanism of action of herbicides that alter the plant cell wall, and identifying cell wall biosynthetic enzymes in macroalgae.

After a BSc in Germany, I moved to Sweden for a MSc in molecular plant sciences and stayed for a PhD in Edouard Pesquet's group at Stockholm University. After years working on the cell-specific – and surprisingly dynamic – lignification of secondary cell walls, I am now investigating how plants continuously adjust the structure and composition of their primary cell walls to maintain growth in challenging environments. More specifically, I am curious about putative feedback mechanisms between PM-bound receptor-like kinases and cell wall biosynthesis.

I am from China, and working on the PhD project with title of -Carbon allocation among carbohydrates in rice grain. The main aim is to figure out how whole carbohydrate-producing pathways are regulated in plants with a particular focus on rice grain. My hobbies are watching movies, reading, and badminton.

Originally from Mexico, where I study a bachelor in Biology. Since I wanted to develop myself in an international environment, I moved to Germany to study a Master in Plant Sciences at the University of Bonn. Currently, I am a PhD student working with microtubule-associated proteins in plant and animal cells. My goal is to become skillful manager in industry. Outside work, I enjoy photography and digital art, traveling and long hikes.

Born in France, I got my Bachelor degree in Biology at the University of Angers before moving to Germany to join the international Master's program of Plant Sciences at the University of Bonn. I am currently working as a research assistant in Staffan Persson's group and I would like to pursue my scientific career as a PhD student in plant molecular biology or biochemistry. Outside the lab I like to read, play basketball and discover foreign cuisines.

Coming from Germany I did my BSc at the University of Freiburg in general biology. For my Masters, I went on to study Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Lund University, Sweden and completed my degree project at SLU Alnarp developing genome editing tools for plant breeding. For my PhD project I am studying the influence of membrane lipids on cellulose synthesis.

I'm a PhD student from the University of Melbourne joining the Cellulose Synthesis lab as a guest student. My research topic is investigating the synthesis of cell walls in red macroalgae with particular respect to their unique sulphated galactans. My areas of interest are genomics, bioinformatics, and red algae phycology.

Bachelor of Science 2015-2017, The University of Melbourne.
Master of Biotechnology 2018-2019, The University of Melbourne.
PhD 2020-, The University of Melbourne/ The University of Copenhagen.