Dr. Tatiana Zuniga-Burgos

Research group

Plant Metabolism

Biography

I am interested in using microalgae to generate sustainable and innovative solutions. Specifically, the use of algal biomass for resource recovery. For instance, the expertise I generated during my PhD in the knowledge and manipulation of microalgae phosphorus metabolism and polyphosphate accumulation dynamics has the potential to generate a solution to the phosphorus cycle paradox, a problem that currently threatens food and water security. 

Interdisciplinary research is key to develop these type of solutions and this is why as a trained engineer, I believed that developing a fundamental knowledge around the biology of microalgae is vital for the design and implementation of robust engineering strategies using these organisms. Here at the Algal Innovation Centre, we have the opportunity to both develop the fundamental knowledge and test the influence of scale-up cultivation and environmental factors on microalgae-based solutions. 

Qualifications

2024 - PhD Civil Engineering - University of Leeds, UK

2018 - MSc Environmental Engineering - Universidad de los Andes Colombia 

2016 - Ba Environmental Engineering - Universidad de los Andes Colombia 

Key Publications

'Phosphate overplus response in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Polyphosphate dynamics to monitor phosphate uptake and turnover', (2024), Algal Research

'Overexpression of PSR1 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii induces luxury phosphorus uptake', (2023), Frontiers in Plant Science.

'Fixing the broken phosphorus cycle: wastewater remediation by microalgal polyphosphates', (2020), Frontiers in Plant Science.