Cristina Barragán
Emmy Noether Group Leader
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I am a microbial geneticist interested in how cells acquire, regulate, and stably inherit new genetic material. My research focuses on mobile chromosomes in plant-pathogenic fungi and how they reshape reproduction, virulence, host range, and adaptation.
I began in plant genetics before moving to fungal pathogens. Studying both sides of plant–microbe interactions has shaped my interest in evolution as an ongoing process—one that can be observed in natural populations and dissected experimentally.
My work combines molecular genetics and evolutionary genomics to connect chromosome-scale mechanisms with microbial adaptation.
Contact:
cristina.barragan@phytomed.uni-kiel.de
Tel. +49 (0) 431 880 4861
Institute for Phytopathology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel
Ludewig-Meyn-Straße 9 · 24118 Kiel · Germany
J. Alejandro Rodriguez
PhD Candidate
By the end of my Bachelor studies, an initial interest in genome editing tools such as TALEN and CRISPR-Cas led me to pursue infection biology. Over time, this developed into a focus on plant–pathogen interactions, particularly fungal effector proteins, a topic I plan to continue exploring throughout my research career. Building on this background, I joined Dr. Barragan’s group to deepen my expertise and explore new directions.
Currently, I am working on a project investigating how mini-chromosomes in fungal pathogens contribute to disease severity and host range. To address this, I use a combination of approaches, including plant infection assays, bioinformatics, and protein–protein interaction studies. Outside the lab, I enjoy an active lifestyle, especially outdoor activities, as well as photography, reading, and writing.
Contact:
Tolulope Akande
MSc Student
During my Bachelor’s, I spent a lot of time working with plants out in the field. That experience sparked my interest in crop improvement and how we can use genomics to build better plant resistance, which ultimately led me to my current Master’s program in Agrigenomics.
I joined the Barragan lab to get hands-on lab experience. Right now, I’m focused on understanding genomic variations in pathogens, how those variations affect their function, and how we can use that knowledge to protect crops. Outside the lab, I enjoy reading good books, listening to music and taking walks.
Contact:
Piyush Shekhawat
MSc Student
My interest in molecular biology and genetics led me to pursue a Master's degree in Molecular Biology and Evolution, where I became fascinated by genome evolution, adaptation, and how genetic variation shapes interactions between organisms and their environments.
I joined the Barragan Lab as a student research assistant to gain research experience in structural genome variation and chromosome mobility in microbial pathogens. I currently contribute to projects exploring how accessory chromosomes influence pathogen adaptation, while developing skills in molecular biology, genomics, and data analysis.
Outside the lab, I enjoy badminton, cycling, travelling, and exploring new places and cultures.
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