Joaquin Fernandez

I am a PhD student at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Part of SILVA and the Wallenberg Initiatives in Forest Research (WIFORCE).

My research focuses on organic nitrogen availability in boreal forest soils, with particular interest in soil proteins and the mechanisms controlling nitrogen turnover. We investigate nitrogen availability from both plant and soil perspectives, aiming to better understand the processes controlling nitrogen availability in forest ecosystems.

My academic background is in biochemistry and plant and forest biotechnology, with previous research experience in plant molecular biology, plant physiology and plant stress responses.

Nitrogen availability is an important factor controlling tree growth in boreal forests. With elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, nitrogen limitations in boreal forest soils might increase. Understanding how protein composition and properties influence protein breakdown and nitrogen turnover could help identify ways to alleviate nitrogen limitation and enhance forest growth.

The research focuses on characterising the protein composition of boreal forest soils and investigating the processes controlling protein breakdown and nitrogen availability.

Different approaches are used, including soil protein extraction, protein characterization, and proteomics. Our work involves laboratory analyses of soil samples collected from forests in Sweden. On goin collaboration with the Umeå Proteomics Platform (UPP) enables us to apply proteomics approaches, including LC-MS/MS, to investigate soil protein composition.

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry.
Master's degree in Plant and Forest Biotechnology.