Nataliia Khumotovska

A microbial ecologist with experience studying diverse microbial communities from various habitats, including terrestrial and aquatic environments. Research has focused on microbial diversity using both culture-dependent methods and modern molecular tools such as metagenomics and metabarcoding. Since 2023, the focus has shifted to plant–pathogen–microbial bodyguard interactions, exploring the role of beneficial microbes in sustainable agriculture.

Currently working as a postdoctoral researcher on the WildCrop project, which aims to develop sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides in agriculture. The project focuses on wild strawberries and their naturally associated microbial "bodyguards"—particularly the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans—to explore how wild plants and their microbes can be used to enhance crop resistance and biological control.

Experienced in academic teaching and student supervision at undergraduate and Master's levels. Supervised a Master's-level research project at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) within the Research Practical Training BI1347 course, focused on "Conidiation efficiency of A. pullulans strains in various growth temperatures".

Previously taught several university courses at the University of Warsaw (Poland), including:

Biology of Phototrophic Bacteria (Master's level)
Hydrobiology (Bachelor's level, core course)
Biodiversity (Różnorodność biologiczna, Bachelor's level, Biotechnology program)
Informatics (Bachelor's level, for Biology and Biotechnology programs)
Courses were delivered primarily in Polish, and the content covered microbial biology, aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and basic bioinformatics.

Khomutovska N, Jasser I, Isidorov VA. Unraveling the role of bacteria in nitrogen cycling: insights from leaf litter decomposition in the Knyszyn forest. Forests. 2024; 15(6):1065.
https://doi.org/10.3390/f15061065

Khomutovska N., et al. Seasonal dynamics in leaf litter decomposing microbial communities in
temperate forests: a whole-genome-sequencing-based study. PeerJ 2024;12(4):e17769.
doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1776

Jasser I., Khomutovska N., Sandzewicz S., et al. High altitude may limit production of secondary 
metabolites by cyanobacteria. April 2024 Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 24(2) DOI: 
10.1016/j.ecohyd.2024.03.004 [The first and second authors contributed equally] 

Khomutovska N., de los Ríos A., Jasser I. Diversity and Colonization Strategies of Endolithic 
Cyanobacteria in the Cold Mountain Desert of Pamir. Microorganisms 2021 9, 6. 
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9010006 

Khomutovska N., de los Ríos, A., Syczewski M. & Jasser, I. Connectivity of edaphic and endolithic microbial niches in the cold mountain desert of Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan). Biology 2021, 10(4), 314,
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10040314