☕️

Jana Efremova

Doctoral Researcher

Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

Open University

I am a PhD student researching the impact of ocean acidification, a mainly anthropogenic driven environmental stressors, on marine ecosystem stabilities at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. In particular, I am analyzing the microbiome composition and chemical ecology of marine sponges and their impact on nutritional cycles. My research interests include microbiomics, metabolomics, chemical ecology, biochemistry and nutrition. My academic specialisation is focused on nutritional sciences and biochemistry, however my current PhD position allowed me an interdisciplinary integration of my knowledge and a contribution to Climate Change research. I successfully defended my PhD thesis in my viva examination and I am currently searching a PostDoc position, a research management role or a lecturing position in related scientific fields.

Skills

Microbiome Bioinformatics

Analyses of Next-Generation-Sequencing Data

Science Communication

Graphical Illustrations & Scientific Talks

Biochemistry

Chemical Extractions & Metabolomics

Experience

Doctoral Researcher

Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

January 2019 – Present Naples, IT

I studied the microbial and metabolic dynamics of sponges under Ocean Acidification. I sampled two sponge species in a CO2 vent and a control site on Ischia Island (Italy) by scuba diving and then analyzed their microbial communities via Illumina Next-Generation-Sequencing. After conducting a NMR-based metabolomics workflow with OPLS-DA, I correlated microbiome and metabolome data. During an international collaboration with the Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen (Germany), I developed a new underwater sampling method.

Responsibilities included:

Managing research project
International collaborations
Design of a new underwater sampling technique (patent pending)
Raise funding
Scuba Diving for sampling and in situ experimentation
Supervising students

Biochemistry (Master of Science)

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany)

October 2016 – June 2019 Jena, GE

I studied advanced concepts of molecular biology and biochemistry and applied interdisciplinary methods including cell biology, bioinformatics, analytical chemistry and molecular biology. Final Grade 1.3 (A; distinction).

Responsibilities included:

Teaching aid during a “biochemistry lab course for nutrition scientists”
Preparing laboratory experiments
Supervising students during lab work
Teaching underlying mechanisms of different analytical techniques

Nutritional Sciences (Bachelor of Science)

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany)

October 2013 – July 2016 Jena, GE

During the BSc Nutritional Sciences I studied the basics of natural sciences, biomedicine, biochemistry and molecular biology, whereby I specialised in molecular nutrition. I conducted my bachelor thesis in the field of cell biology at the Center for Molecular Biomedicine (Jena) and an international collaboration with the computational department at the Benemerita-University of Puebla (Mexico), where I was able to acquire first experience in bioinformatic analyses. Aim of my thesis project was to reveal if vanilloid derivatives are possible inhibitors of the polo-like kinase 1, inducing cell-cycle arrest and reducing cancer cell activity. Final Grade 1.5 (A; distinction).

Projects

Microbial and Metabolic Interactions in Sponges under Ocean Acidification

My PhD work concerns how the symbiotic sponge microbiome contributes to adaptive strategies to acclimatize to environmental stressors, such as ocean acidification. Correlating this microbiome data with metabolomics results helps painting a broader picture of organismal response and health.