New dissertation within One Health: We congratulate Noelia López-García!

Who are you? Could you give a short presentation of yourself and your research area?

"My name is Noelia López-García, and I recently received my PhD in biology with a focus on Forest Pathology. From a young age, I’ve felt a deep connection to nature. Growing up in the countryside of southern Spain, I was captivated by the mysteries of forests and the natural world around me. This lifelong curiosity and love for nature led me to pursue a career in forestry science. As my career progressed, I specialised in forest pathology, particularly the increasing threats posed by native and non-native pathogens. These growing attacks on forests reflect the impact of human lifestyles and highlight the imperative need for further research and systemic changes."

What is your research about and how does it link to One Health?

"My research focuses on the increasing threat of pathogenic Phytophthora species to forest health and productivity in southern Sweden. In particular, I investigate how their interactions with microbial communities and human activities influence their impact on forest ecosystems. Key findings from my research highlight the need to integrate advanced detection methods, promote public engagement and establish robust legislative measures. By developing effective management strategies against Phytophthora diseases, we aim to protect forest ecosystems from this escalating threat."

What problem does your research help to solve in the short and long term?

"I have observed a gap between research and practical implementation, likely due to a lack of holistic understanding of ecological processes over time and space. The challenge lies in developing research strategies that integrate different techniques to investigate the collective effects of microbial biocontrol agents on pathogen growth, disease progression, host vigour, and environmental dynamics. Moreover, differences in microbial community composition between healthy and declining trees highlight the complex connections between these communities and tree health, suggesting a bidirectional dependence, where tree health can influence or be influenced by microbial community composition. Gaining a deeper understanding of these interactions could lead to more effective and sustainable disease management practices." 

How can your research contribute to a more sustainable world / what impact at the societal level can the results contribute to?

"My research serves as an initial step toward understanding the microbial community compositions in healthy versus declining trees, particularly concerning the presence of Phytophthora species. By exploring these interactions, future research should focus on investigating the functional roles of these microbial communities. This knowledge could guide the development of effective, eco-friendly management practices to improve forest health and resilience against growing environmental threats."

What are your plans now after your PhD?

"I plan to pursue further research in this field because I find the work both inspiring and meaningful, with many fascinating avenues still to explore. I would like to focus on studying rhizosphere microbial communities to develop sustainable plant protection methods that minimize the risk of negative environmental impacts. The more we learn about the interactions within the rhizosphere microbiome, plant defence mechanisms, and plant-pathogen dynamics, the better we can enhance these eco-friendly protection strategies. This holistic perspective aligns well with my academic background and personal interests."

We wish Noelia López-García the best of luck in her future career! 

• Link to the thesis: Forest Phytophthora – Ecology, Diversity and Management