Maria Szomek

Maria Szomek is an active academic researcher in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark, specializing in bioimaging and membrane biology. Her work focuses on sterol biochemistry, lipid membrane dynamics, and advanced imaging techniques.

Her primary research interests span Sterol Biochemistry, Membrane Organization, and Advanced Microscopy Techniques. Key areas include ergosterol function in yeast, lipid droplet metabolism, vacuole fusion mechanisms, and development of novel fluorescent probes for membrane imaging. She employs cutting-edge approaches including cryo-soft X-ray microscopy, fluorescence nanoscopy, and deep learning-based image analysis.

Recent publication trends show strong emphasis on membrane sterol interactions (particularly ergosterol and cholesterol analogs), antifungal mechanisms involving natamycin, and quantitative imaging methodologies for studying lipid dynamics. Her collaborative work frequently appears in high-impact journals covering biochemistry, cell biology, and analytical chemistry.

As part of the Bioimaging research group, Szomek contributes to interdisciplinary projects combining biochemical analysis with advanced microscopy. Her technical expertise includes fluorescence lifetime imaging, cryo-microscopy, and computational image analysis for studying membrane organization in yeast models.