معرفی
Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso is a Professor of Interdisciplinary Plant Sciences at the School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds. She leads the Benitez-Alfonso Lab (PD Wall Structural Mechanics) and holds a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. Her research integrates plant biology, biophysics, and materials science to study plasmodesmata and cell wall polymers.
Research Interests:
- Regulation of intercellular communication via plasmodesmata
- Role of callose and cellulose in cell wall mechanics
- Plant development and environmental resilience
- Sustainable biomaterials from plant polymers
- Diagnostic applications of β-1,3-glucans in fungal infections
Her recent work shows strong interdisciplinary trends, combining genetic, molecular, and physical approaches to understand how plant microchannels regulate development and stress responses. Publications reveal a focus on callose metabolism, plasmodesmata proteomics, and innovative applications in biotechnology and materials science.
Scientific Awards:
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
- HEA Fellow
She is actively involved in advising postgraduate researchers and securing competitive grants from EPSRC, The Royal Society, Leverhulme Trust, and UKRI. She collaborates with the Department of Physics, Astbury Centre, Braggs Centre, and clinical teams at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. She also founded the ‘Black in Plant Science’ network to promote equity and inclusion.
Labs and Teams: The Benitez-Alfonso Lab focuses on cross-disciplinary research in plasmodesmata structural mechanics, with active projects in plant biotech, biomaterials, and diagnostics. The team uses advanced tools including NMR, rheology, and AFM nanoindentation.
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