معرفی
Dr. Rodica Pena is a principal investigator at the Georg-August University of Göttingen, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, where she leads the DFG-funded project “Mycorrhizal mycelia production in relation to forest management intensity and ecosystem functions”. She has been affiliated with the Department of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology since her PhD (2006-2011) and subsequent post-doctoral fellowship (2011-2014).
Education
- 2000 Master in Biology, University of Bucharest
- 2006–2011 PhD, Department of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Georg-August University of Göttingen
- 2011–2014 Postdoctoral fellow, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Biodiversity Exploratories (DFG SPP 1374)
Research Interests
Rodica Pena studies the diversity and functioning of mycorrhizal symbioses, with a focus on ectomycorrhizal fungi and their role in nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. Her work integrates stable-isotope ecology, molecular identification (PCR-based techniques, metabarcoding), microscopy, and FT-IR spectroscopy to quantify fungal contributions to plant nutrition and ecosystem processes. She is particularly interested in how anthropogenic land-use change alters below-ground fungal diversity and, in turn, influences forest productivity and resilience. A complementary theme is the relationship between plant polyploidy and mycorrhizal associations.
Articles & Trends
Across more than 25 peer-reviewed publications since 2009, her research reveals consistent patterns: higher ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity enhances nutrient acquisition efficiency (especially P and N) in European beech, while distinct guilds of root-associated fungi are governed by different assembly rules and forest attributes. Recent work employs advanced molecular and spectroscopic tools to link fungal identity with ecosystem functions, from leaf-litter decomposition to carbon sequestration.
Projects & Collaborations
- Biodiversity Exploratories (DFG Priority Programme 1374)
- BEFmate – Biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning across marine and terrestrial ecosystems
- DynaCom – Spatial community ecology in highly dynamic landscapes: from island biogeography to meta-ecosystems
Laboratory & Teams
Dr. Pena heads an active laboratory within the Biodiversity Exploratories framework, supervising technicians, graduate students, and post-docs. The lab is equipped for molecular biology, isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and advanced microscopy, collaborating closely with teams in soil science, plant physiology, and bioinformatics across Germany and Europe.
