Received her Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Sciences with the predicate "Cum Laude" at the University of Basel (Switzerland)/ Friedrich-Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research in 1999. Recipient of an Alexander-von Humboldt Fellowship with expertise in a broad range of molecular techniques, functional genomics as well as phylogenetics and statistical methods for data acquisition.
Currently working on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in cereals in the Gates- funded ENSA (Engineering Nitrogen Symbiosis for Africa) project.
Special interests in plant and marine biology- related topics addressing sustainable agriculture, food security and approaches tackling the threats imposed on ecosystems by the ongoing climate change.