Elysa Overdijk

Elysa Overdijk is a Lecturer at the Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University. Her work bridges plant pathology, cell biology, and molecular imaging to uncover defense mechanisms against pathogens.

• PhD in Plant Physiology (2019) from Wageningen University
• Current role: Lecturer in plant physiology teaching

Overdijk's research examines exocytosis and microtubule dynamics during plant-pathogen interactions, with a focus on Phytophthora infestans and Physcomitrium patens models. Her work integrates confocal microscopy and exocyst complex analysis to visualize cellular responses.

Key publication trends include:

• Investigating RXLR effectors and their impact on plant growth
• Mapping exocyst subunit localization during infection
• Elucidating microtubule overlaps in phragmoplast function
• Exploring small RNA mechanisms in disease resistance

She collaborates with experts like Prof. Francine Govers and Dr. K. Bouwmeester in projects such as "The plant exocyst as an expeller of pathogens" (2014-2019). Her methodological toolkit spans time-gated microscopy, RNA interference studies, and cytoskeleton analysis.