Lena Maria Mueller

Dr. Lena Maria Mueller is an Assistant Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, leading the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory. Her research focuses on deciphering molecular mechanisms governing plant-microbe symbiosis, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, to enhance sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration. She collaborates with Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative to develop climate-resilient crops.

Education:

• BSc/MSc Biology, University of Tübingen, Germany
• PhD Plant Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University

Mueller's research investigates three core areas: molecular signaling pathways in plant-fungal communication, integration of physiological signals for optimal carbon-nutrient balance, and genetic determinants of symbiosis success under environmental stress. Her work aims to engineer crops that optimize fungal partnerships for improved nutrient uptake and carbon storage.

Her publications consistently explore plant-microbe signaling, genetic regulators of symbiosis, and agricultural applications. Recent work emphasizes peptide-mediated communication, transcriptional networks controlling fungal colonization, and engineering symbiotic efficiency in crops like Medicago truncatula.

Awards & Honors:

• Sharon Gray Women’s Young Investigator Award (2020)
• German Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017)
• Swiss National Science Foundation Advanced Mobility Fellowship (2017)
• Best Oral Presentation Award, International Conference on Sexual Plant Reproduction (2014)

Mueller leads an international research team including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians. Current projects focus on CLAVATA signaling pathways, fungal peptide mimics, and developing mycorrhiza-enhanced crops. The lab utilizes genetics, molecular biology, and physiology approaches to study plant-microbe interactions.