I studied BSc Molecular Biotechnology and MSc Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Bielefeld in Germany. Already the bachelor thesis in 2008 and master thesis in 2011 were connected to photosynthesis and the production of hydrogen in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. As a PhD student at the Molecular Plant Biology group at the University of Turku in Finland I deepened my knowledge in the field of bioenergy and studied alternative electron transport via flavodiiron proteins in Chlamydomonas. Now I work in a 4-year personal postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Turku, promoting a nordic bioeconomy based on high-value products from microalgae.

As a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne I study different methods to produce biohydrogen from microalgae in an efficient photoautotrophic way. Additionally, I study the possible use of Nordic microalgae as biopesticides to promote a more sustainable agriculture.