Dr. Jelle Spooren

Research area

I am a plant-microbiologist with a particular fascination for how plants modulate their microbiomes as an adaptive strategy to cope with environmental stresses. My main interest lies in plant-driven assembly of disease-suppressive microbiomes in response to pathogen attack. In my research, I combine both the above- and belowground plant and microbial perspectives to gain a holistic understanding on how the selective regime dictated by the infected plant shapes microbiome composition, functioning and evolution, thereby impacting the outcome of the plant-pathogen interaction. I greatly value and enjoy contributing to collaborative projects in an international academic environment. In addition, I love to teach and my spare time activities mainly surround my other big passions: travelling, hiking and cycling in the outdoors.