Interview with Dr. Noemi Svolacchia—Winner of Plants 2023 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award

It is our great pleasure to introduce one of the winners of the Plants Best Ph.D. Thesis Award for 2023—Dr. Noemi Svolacchia.

Dr. Noemi Svolacchia graduated in 2019 with a degree in genetics and molecular biology from the University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy, before continuing her studies, and obtaining her Ph.D. in 2023 under the co-supervision of Professor Sabrina Sabatini and Professor Riccardo Di Mambro (University of Pisa, Italy). Her research interests are related to plant development, with a particular focus on systems biology and the molecular mechanisms linking single cell behavior to the whole organism.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Noemi Svolacchia:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the scientific research you conducted during your doctoral study?

How topological and geometrical cell properties instruct cell behaviors is a fundamental question in developmental biology. In both animal and plant development, cell shape is the result of the mechanical cues and constraints imposed by the environment that, ultimately, can be reflected on cell state and activity. In plants, cells are surrounded by a rigid structure, the cell wall. It plays a fundamental role during cell growth, providing structural support while concurrently remaining flexible and deformable in a controlled manner to allow cell expansion. The primary cell wall that surrounds all growing cells can be represented as a network of interconnected cellulose microfibrils embedded in a matrix composed of hemicellulose and pectins. The relative percentage of these components results in different and highly controlled cell wall mechanical properties that can regulate the spatio-temporal capacity of a cell to expand. My research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that translate the physical input derived from cell wall properties into a cell activity output, i.e., cell division or differentiation.

In particular, by using genetic and molecular approaches and by taking advantage of high-throughput techniques, I demonstrated that changes in the cell wall mechanical properties are translated into variations in the cell state, thus determining if a cell will divide or differentiate. To clarify the molecular circuit that allows these different cell wall mechanical properties to be translated into different cell activities, I performed a transcriptomic analysis. By using transgenic lines where cell wall mechanical properties are altered in a time-controlled and zone-specific manner, I revealed the key genetic networks that sense and respond to changes in cell wall mechanics, ultimately triggering developmental shifts in cell behavior.

2. Did you encounter any difficulties in carrying out this research? How did you overcome them?

Doing a Ph.D. is notoriously challenging and requires consistent effort, resilience and adaptability to overcome the inevitable setbacks. In my case, although the project began as a continuation and deepening of work already published in the laboratory where I work, we realized early on that we needed to use innovative techniques that had never been tried in the laboratory to prove our hypotheses. This gave me the opportunity to invest my time in studying and identifying experimental setups better suited to my model system, and to establish new collaborations with experts in the field to achieve this goal.

3. As an author, what aspects of a journal do you value most when choosing a journal to publish your academic work?

When choosing a journal, I prioritize its relevance to my field of research and ensure that the work could reach the right audience. I value a rigorous yet constructive peer-review process to enhance the quality of the manuscript, as well as the journal's reputation and impact factor for wider visibility. Accessibility is also important, so I consider open access options where feasible.

4. Many doctoral students experience pressure to publish papers and worry about delaying graduation. What advice do you have for doctoral students who have not yet graduated?

My advice to Ph.D. students is to focus on the quality of their work rather than rushing to publish. Fortunately, my Ph.D. school does not require a publication to graduate, although it is always recommended, and thanks to this I have had the chance to take my time and explore new ideas and research topics, driven more by curiosity than the urgent need to publish. This also led me to collaborate with peers and experts, which can help you learn new skills and broaden your perspective. I think it is important to communicate openly with your supervisor to set realistic expectations and timelines, and to use feedback as a tool for growth.

5. As the winner of this award, is there something you would like to express or someone you would like to thank the most?

I have to thank my supervisors who have helped and guided me all these years, even when nothing was working! Being part of a lab, I also feel the urge to thank my lab mates, who are always there to support and help me in both work and life related matters.

6. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?

I think the open access model is a great way to publish scientific research. It means that more people can access the research, including scientists and educators all over the world. This makes it easier for different groups of people to work together and helps to speed up the progression of science. However, there are challenges to the model, such as high publication fees, which can be prohibitive for researchers with limited resources.

We would like to congratulate Dr. Noemi Svolacchia on winning the Plants 2023 Best Ph.D. Thesis Award!