I am interested in understanding the response of the plant to a viral infection.

We use geminivirus as the main subject of my research and Arabidopsis as the plant model to understand responses. In collaboration with Dr. Linda Hanley-Bowdoin we are trying to unveil the connection between geminivirus infection and cell cycle. We also investigate how the virus induces senescence in arabidopsis, a very interesting line of research due to its implications in symptom development.

I am also pursuing the function of a novel group of CDKs (Cyclin-dependent kinase like) in Arabidopsis. Recently, in collaboration with a former college classmate, we are trying to understand the possibilities of a microalgae to be used for biofuels.