Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow (2023 - present)

Postdoctoral Researcher, in the Photomicrobes Group led by Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Finland (2021-2023)

PhD in Biochemistry supervised by Professor Chris Howe, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (2017-2021)

Research Assistant in the Price Lab at the Australian National University & ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australia (2016-2017)

Honours in Biology, supervised by Professor Dean Price, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Australia (2015)

Bachelor of Philosophy (an undergraduate science research degree), Australian National University, Australia (2011-2014)

Photosynthetic microorganisms, including algae and cyanobacteria, can export electrons/reducing equivalents upon illumination in a phenomenon called ‘exoelectrogenesis’. Biophotovoltaic systems (BPVs) are devices in which exoelectrogenesis of photosynthetic microorganisms can be harnessed to convert solar energy and water into electricity. Substantial efforts are underway to increase BPV outputs by, for example, optimising the electrode design and manufacture. However, further rational optimisation of the biological materials used in BPVs is being held back by limited understanding of the biological mechanism of exoelectrogenesis in photosynthetic microorganisms. My research aims to elucidate this mechanism using a suite of molecular biology and biophysics techniques. Further, we aim to understand the physiological role and regulation of exoelectrogenesis, and its interplay with intracellular electron sinks.

Review: Wey, Laura T., et al. "The development of biophotovoltaic systems for power generation and biological analysis." ChemElectroChem 6.21 (2019): 5375-5386. https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.201900997

In the news:

• Photosynthetic bacteria can generate enough electricity to charge the Internet of Things | ScienceNews https://sciencenews.dk/en/photosynthetic-bacteria-can-generate-enough-electricity-to-charge-the-internet-of-things
  
• Photosynthesis ‘hack’ could ‘lead to new ways of developing renewable energy’ | The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-university-of-cambridge-finland-b2306006.html  

Ongoing projects as Principal Investigator:

• 2023-2026 - Novo Nordisk Fonden/Novo Nordisk Foundation, Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology Postdoctoral Fellowship (€335 000), Green electricity from photosynthetic bacteria (Photo-e-Microbes)
• 2023-2024 - Maj ja Tor Nesslingin Säätiö/Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, Postdoc Grant (€82 400), Generating green electricity from photosynthetic bacteria (Foto-e-Mikrobit)

Ongoing consortia as Work Package Leader:

• 2023 -2027 - Suomen Akatemia/Research Council of Finland (formerly Academy of Finland), Consortium grant (PI: Professor Yagut Allaverdiyeva, Co-PI: Professor Chunlin Xu, Co-PI: Adjunct Professor Pia Damlin), A bio-inspired generator of green electricity using photosynthetic bacteria and sustainable materials (Photo-e-Mat)  
• 2023 – 2027 -  Suomen Kulttuurirahasto/Finnish Cultural Foundation, Working group grant under the theme of “new materials and technologies for the green transition” (PI: Professor Yagut Allaverdiyeva), Green solution: Photosynthetic power generation from sunlight and water (GreenSol)

Current teaching:

• Guest lecturer DIBT0601 Photosynthesis - Solar Driven Processes for Sustainability
• Project supervisor DIBT0605 Research Project in Photosynthetic BioTech

Teaching awards:

• Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom (2021) 

Pedagogical training:

• Basics of University Pedagogy, University of Turku Centre for University Pedagogy and Research (2023)
• Being a Thesis Supervisor, University of Turku Centre for University Pedagogy and Research  (2023)

• Teaching Associates’ Programme, Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning (2020-2021)
• Principles of Tutoring and Demonstrating, Australian National University Centre for Higher Education, Learning & Teaching (2015)

I am always looking for motivated students. If you are interested in the research area I pursue you can contact me (laura.wey[a]utu.fi) along with your CV and transcript to discuss possibilities.