Photo: Erik Thor/Young Academy of Sweden
Plant and animal cells share many features but also have important differences. A key difference is that all plant cells have a rigid cell wall. This wall provides stability but also prevents movement, which shapes how plants grow and respond to their environment. The main component of the cell wall, cellulose, is the most abundant organic molecule on Earth. Other important components include hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. We use plant cell walls in many ways, for example in wood, cotton, and bioenergy. They also play a major role in storing carbon and are therefore central to efforts against climate change.
In our laboratory, we aim to understand how plant cell walls function and adapt to their surroundings. We combine biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, and bioinformatics, and use advanced microscopy techniques to study the mechanical and chemical properties of cell walls. Besides, we develop new tools to control cell wall dynamics and study algae to identify shared principles. Our goal is to contribute to new strategies for improving plant resilience to stress.
Born: 1991
Interests: I’m particularly fascinated by the intersection of biology, biochemistry, physics and technology, which is why my research often takes an interdisciplinary approach. I’m also interested in how academia can evolve as a workplace – one where more people feel welcome and are able to pursue long-term careers in research. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, photography, walking in nature and reading – both science fiction and non-fiction about society, science and culture.
Other: I grew up in a farming family in La Mancha, Spain, where we grow – among other things – garlic. Excellent garlic, if I may say so myself. It’s shaped both my sense of smell and my interest in plants. It was my curiosity about nature, and a chance encounter with a book on biotechnology, that first sparked my interest in research.
I want to contribute to a more inclusive and relevant academy – where researchers are supported, knowledge is shared openly, and research is beneficial also beyond the university. As a researcher in plant biology, I also see a need to strengthen the voice for sustainable agricultural policy and technology in Sweden and the EU. Young Academy of Sweden is a platform where I can work on these issues together with other committed researchers.
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