Recognizing Plant Physiology first authors: Hanna Lasok

Hanna Lasok, first author of Root gravitropism is regulated by a crosstalk between para-aminobenzoic acid, ethylene, and auxin

Current Position: Unemployed, looking for a job

Education: PhD (2018) in the Molecular Plant Physiology, University of Freiburg, Germany. M.S. (2010) in the Plant Biotechnology, Silesia University in Katowice, Poland.

Non-scientific Interests: Hiking, skiing, sightseeing, and photography

Brief bio: I recently obtained my PhD at the University of Freiburg in the Lab of Prof. Klaus Palme under the supervision of Dr. Franck Ditengou. My PhD project, financed by the German Academy of Exchange Service (DAAD), aimed at understanding the mechanisms regulating plant development in response to environmental stimuli, including mechanical forces and gravity. It is in this framework that we characterized the specific role of para-aminobenzoic acid on root graviresponse. Besides that, I also performed multiscaled analyses of root response to micro- and hyper-gravity using parabolic flights and sounding rockets. Understanding how plants respond to environmental signals is fundamental if one is to develop new plant varieties with improved growth capabilities, and I am looking forward to my next project in this field.