DC5 - Alexandra Georganti-Ntaliape

Advisors: Oddur Vilhelmsson, Justyna Wolinska, Bettina Scholz

Home institution: University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland

Summary: My PhD focuses on the ecological control of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in cold-temperate coastal waters. The project aims to identify and characterize natural antagonists - such as algicidal bacteria, parasites and grazers, that can suppress toxin-producing algal species threatening blue mussel aquaculture. Through field sampling, lab experiments, and molecular analyses (eDNA sequencing, transcriptomics, exometabolomics), the work will investigate how environmental factors and anthropogenic pollutants like PFAS affect these antagonistic interactions. The ultimate goal is to develop environmentally friendly strategies for HAB mitigation.

Keywords: Harmful algal blooms (HABs), Algicidal bacteria, Environmental DNA (eDNA), Exometabolomics 

More details and contact:  alexandra@unak.is 

https://www.unak.is/english/moya/ugla/staff/alexandra-georganti-ntaliape 

Planned secondment(s): 
At BioPol with Bettina Scholz for sampling campaigns, microscopic identification, isolation of individual HAB-pathogen pairs 
At FVB-IGB (twice) with Hans Peter Grossart for microcosm experiments, exometabolome analysis, and comparative transcriptomics of the herbivores.   

You can watch the presentation of my project here!