Ellie Laetz

Dr. Ellie Laetz is Assistant Professor and Veni Laureate in Marine Biology at the University of Groningen, where she leads the Ecophysiology and Evolution of Endosymbioses (E3) Laboratory. Her research investigates algal-animal symbioses in changing oceans.

Research focuses on:

• Functional kleptoplasty mechanisms
• Photosymbiotic tradeoffs
• Thermal tolerance in symbiotic species
• Behavioral adaptations to light stress

Analysis of recent publications reveals novel findings about photoprotective behaviors in solar-powered mollusks and metabolic plasticity under warming scenarios. Her work integrates field studies with experimental physiology across tropical and temperate systems.

Honors include an NWO Veni Fellowship and the 2024 Journal of Experimental Biology Outstanding Paper Prize.