Carla was born in Würzburg, Germany, where she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biosciences. She began her undergraduate education studying philosophy, which sparked a deeper curiosity about how the world and its inhabitants operate. This led her to switch her major to biology.

Research Background

During her bachelor’s degree, Carla worked on diverse research projects including carnivorous plant evolution, plant pathogens, membrane biology, all-optical physiology, and optogenetics in plants. Her research eventually led her to fungi, which has become the focus of both her Master’s thesis and her current work as a student researcher.

Current Work

As a student researcher, Carla is investigating whether and how climate change will affect fungal infections in humans on a global scale. Her Master’s thesis focuses on optogenetics in fungi to better understand how they function as plant pathogens.

Research Interests

• Fungal biology and diversity
• Fungal infections in humans and plants
• Plant pathology and host-pathogen interactions
• Climate change impacts on disease
• Optogenetics in fungi
• Fungal roles in biotic interactions
• Less-researched life forms and biodiversity
• Comparative biology at the plant-animal interface

Personal Interests

Outside the lab, Carla enjoys painting, reading, playing video games, and lifting weights. She also works on a fantasy novel whenever she finds the time.

Fascination with Fungi

Carla has always been captivated by fungi. Their remarkable fruiting bodies, their appearance ranging from beautiful to alien, and their capability to inhabit virtually every environment while existing on the fringe between plant and animal kingdom have always fascinated her. Her aim is to further our understanding of this comparatively less-researched life form and to highlight their importance and functions in biotic interactions.