Welcome! Let us know a little bit about you and your interest in plant sciences.

[Thayssa Rabelo Schley]

Hi everyone!

My name is Thayssa. I’m a dual Brazilian and German citizen, married to a Colombian, and I’ve had the opportunity to gain research experience in all three countries.

During my bachelor’s and master’s studies at the São Paulo State University in Brazil, I investigated the physiological responses of roots and leaves to drought in Sorghum bicolor, focusing on how these responses correlate with the expression of plant aquaporins. For my doctoral research in Germany at LMU Munich, in collaboration with Helmholtz Munich, I discovered that aquaporins play a significant role in lateral root development under various conditions, including normal growth, water deficit, and nutrient stress. Interestingly, I found that different aquaporins are crucial depending on the environmental context, revealing that aquaporins do much more than transport water—they can have distinct and condition-specific functions.

Although I am deeply fascinated by the physiological roles of aquaporins in plants, upon returning to South America (I live half the year in Brazil and the other half in Colombia), I decided to shift my research focus toward more applied work that addresses agronomic challenges. Currently, I have been researching a potential organic antifungal treatment for soil-borne pathogens, particularly Rhizoctonia solani, while collaborating with researchers in both countries.

Besides research, I love traveling around the world and exploring local cuisines from different places.

Please feel free to contact me here or on Instagram (@thayssafossetera) if you’d like to connect and share ideas!