About me
I am interested in abiotic and biotic factors that determine photosynthetic efficiency in a dynamic environment. To analyze the complex link between photosynthetic performance and environmental factors, I use computer models and mathematical analysis techniques that allow me to simulate and study biological phenomena in silico. For example, I am interested in light damage leading to reduced photosynthetic performance and crop yield, or in the control of carbon sequestration in different light environments. To validate my mathematical representation of photosynthesis, I use various methods from data science to extract information from experimental measurements. By repeating the process of validation, simulation, and prediction, I refine my models in a progressive process.My long-term goal is to understand photosynthesis and its associated processes at all temporal and spatial scales, and ultimately to develop new hypotheses for improving crop yields and biotechnological uses of photosynthetic organisms.
Professional Career
from Nov 2023: Postdoctoral Researchers, Computational Life Science, Department of Biology, RWTH Aachen
May 2020 - Oct. 2023: Doctoral Researcher (Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, funded by IRTG 2466, iGRAD-plant/ NEXTplant)
Jun. 2022 - Nov. 2022: Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University, USA
Jun. 2019 - May 2020: Qualification Fellow (IRTG 2466, iGRAD-plant/ NEXTplant)
Jun. 2019 - Oct. 2023: Fellow of the DFG-funded International Graduate School for Plant Science (IRTG 2466, iGRAD-plant/ NEXTplant)
Oct. 2018 - Jan. 2020: Master of Science Biology - yearlong variant, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Oct. 2014 - Aug. 2018: Bachelor of Science Quantitative Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Publications
Please see also orcid
Mostafa, Krüger, Nies, Frunzke, Schipper, Matuszyńska (2024). Microbial markets: socio-economic perspective in studying microbial communities. Microlife, 5, uqae016,
Ebenhöh , Ebeling, Meyer , Pohlkotte , Nies (2024). Microbial Pathway Thermodynamics: Stoichiometric Models Unveil Anabolic and Catabolic Processes. Life, 14(2), 247.
Nies, Matsubara, Ebenhöh (2024). A mathematical model of photoinhibition: exploring the impact of quenching processes. in silico Plants, 6(1), diae001.
Nies, Matsubara, Ebenhöh (2023) A mathematical model of photoinhibition: exploring the impact of quenching processes preprint DOI:10.1101/2023.09.12.557336
Nies, van Aalst, Saadat, Ebeling, Ebenhöh (2023) What controls carbon sequestration in plants under which conditions? Biosystems 231(2):104968
Saadat, Nies, van Aalst, Hank, Demirtas, Ebenhöh, Matuszyńska (2021) Computational Analysis of Alternative Photosynthetic Electron Flows Linked With Oxidative Stress Frontiers in Plant Science 12:750580 doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.750580
Saadat, Nies, Rousset, Ebenhöh (2020) Thermodynamic Limits and Optimality of Microbial Growth Entropy 22(3):277 doi: 10.3390/e22030277
Ebenhöh, van Aalst, Saadat, Nies, Matuszyńska (2018) Building Mathematical Models of Biological Systems with modelbase Journal of Open Research Software 6(3) doi: 10.5334/jors.236