Farzad Aslani

I completed a PhD and a 30-month postdoc in the field of Weed Science at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). I attempted to understand how phytochemical properties of plant species mediate plant-plant competition in agricultural and natural ecosystems. I screened phytotoxic compounds of invasive and weed species to assess a potential link between the compounds' quantity and quality and the plants' competition capability.

 

The huge role of microbes in plant growth and health as well as recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing and computational tools brought me to Leho Tedersoo’s research group at University of Tartu to gain skills in metabarcoding, bioinformatics, and biostatistics. My second PhD at University of Tartu was a complementary degree on belowground biodiversity responses to the biotic and abiotic factors. It broadened my understanding of the ecology of plants and soil communities and their interactions.

 

Following my qualifications and experiences in plant and below-ground communities, I have recently joined Above-Belowground Interactions Group at Leiden University to work on Silva Nova project. The aim is to Restore soil biology and soil functions to gain multiple benefits in new forests. I am always willing to learn about the complex interactions among the plants, the associated microbial communities, and the environment.