Sylwia Struk

Sylwia Struk, Ph.D., is a senior postdoctoral researcher at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium. She studies the molecular regulation of soybean nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Michiel Vandecasteele, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium, and his work focuses on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to boost drought tolerance in maize for climate-resilient agriculture.

Celine De Pessemier is a predoctoral fellow at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium, developing biocontrol strategies with Streptomyces to protect wheat from pathogens, offering eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides.

Toon Leroy is a predoctoral researcher at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium, studying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi effectors that enable symbiosis with tomato plants, advancing plant-fungal partnerships.

Arne Temmerman, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium, leading a soybean cultivation project in Flanders through direct farmer engagement to promote sustainable crop diversification.

Beyond research, the authors excel in science communication: Celine and Arne, together with three other colleagues, co-host the podcast “De Microcast”. The authors also write for popular science outlets, engage in public events, and designed  “The Rhizosphere”, an educational board game about soil microbiomes.