Ilma's research
To understand aphid resistance mechanism in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and identify the responsible genes.
Aphid is one of the most important pests affecting cereal crops by transmitting barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), made worse by the pest’s ability to reproduce rapidly through parthenogenesis. The rise of pesticide resistance found in aphids drives the search for other control method, which is the aphid resistance gene. My research will look at how aphid behaviour, mortality, and reproduction differ on different wheat varieties with various degree of resistance. This knowledge can be used to build mapping population to identify quantitative trait loci and genes responsible for aphid resistance
One of my professors suggested that I should look at the DTP PhD program as it has great research facility and connections.
I did my undergraduate studies in Biotechnology. I was especially interested in plant biotechnology and crop science because the scale of the research can range all the way from molecular and genetic to field experiments.
My DTP research group has other PhD students and postdocs, who are very kind and helpful. My peers taught me things that I can’t learn by reading journals or taking classes, and gave good advice on how to make the most of my PhD life. I got a chance to meet people from all over the world with varried experience levels and research.
I was very lucky to be a part of the first DTP cohort that welcomed international applicants.
As of now, I’m interested in building my career in the industry. My research project is a collaboration with industrial partner – Syngenta. Since this program provides me an opportunity for a placement at Syngenta, it will give me an insight on how industry career looks like. I can explore jobs in research and development or as a consultant, with an option of a career in academia.