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After one week of waiting, that morning, I woke up nervous, as always when I had to check the results of my experiments. I’m dedicated to developing innovative biocontrol strategies against Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen that poses a significant risk to grape production across the globe. This focus on practical solutions not only addresses a key challenge but also contributes to more sustainable winemaking practices.

In the lab, I had prepared over 70 Petri dishes – the result of testing several microbial candidates in triplicate, each against two different Botrytis strains. That morning, they were finally ready to be checked. After a quick coffee, I made my way to the University of Milan, where I was the first to arrive at the lab. I put on my lab coat, headed straight to the incubators, and carefully retrieved the Petri dishes – each one holding the potential for an eco-friendly solution to vineyard pathogens.

What makes this experience truly exciting is that every experiment I design and every result I achieve carry real significance, and these results would be the outcome of months of dedicated lab work.

A fulfilling journey never comes without challenges

I’ve always dreamed of pursuing a PhD, but life took me on a different journey, leading me to spend three years working at a pharmaceutical company. I learned so much during that time and had a great experience. While I enjoyed my time in the lab, I missed the academic research setting. Now that I’m back in an academic lab, with petri dishes, microscopes, and the rhythm of daily experiments, I feel reconnected to what I enjoy most about research.

Still, research never follows a straight path; mine is no exception. Every experiment presents unexpected challenges, ideas that seemed simple at first, often turn out to be more complex. Refining protocols, interpreting results, and solving problems have become an integral part of my daily routine, often teaching me more than I expected.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of collaboration. While I spend a significant amount of time in the lab working on my experiments, I’ve discovered that sharing ideas and seeking input from colleagues can be incredibly beneficial. Participating in discussions and collaborating with others not only enhances my understanding of the topic but also enriches the overall research process. Science should not be viewed as an individual endeavour, as exchanging insights and viewpoints fosters a collaborative atmosphere that paves the way for enhanced creativity and achievements.

In addition, I have realised how important effective communication is, as sharing our findings and thoughts clearly enhances teamwork and promotes an environment conducive to research. The value of disseminating knowledge is significant as it allows for a deeper understanding of our work. When researchers communicate openly, they create opportunities for constructive feedback and new perspectives that can lead to innovative solutions.

Another key takeaway is that research is all about adaptability. Things rarely go as planned, and adjusting while keeping the bigger picture in mind is essential for success. Sometimes experiments don’t go as expected, but instead of seeing them as setbacks, I now view them as opportunities to learn and improve my approach. Adopting this mindset has helped me develop my ability to think more creatively when faced with unexpected challenges.

Success in a petri dish

This time, we were successful. Looking at my petri dishes through the microscope, I could clearly see how much the mold had been inhibited. We successfully identified promising microorganisms with strong biocontrol potential against Botrytis. We’ve since quantified the results by measuring the inhibition zones and we’ve selected the best candidates based on their efficacy. My focus then shifted to unravelling the mechanisms of action that contribute to their effectiveness, investigating their interactions with Botrytis at the transcriptomic and metabolomic levels to identify the key genes and metabolites involved in the biocontrol process.

Now, I am entering one of the most crucial phases of my project, where I will explore how biocontrol agents interact with Botrytis at a molecular level. This stage is full of challenges, requiring close attention to detail and rigorous analysis. However, it is also one of the most thrilling aspects of my research. Each discovery helps uncover the mechanisms behind their effectiveness, bringing us closer to practical applications in vineyards. Seeing the potential impact of this work motivates me to keep pushing forward.

The next challenge is to take this research beyond the lab and into the vineyards, where we’ll conduct field trials to evaluate its real impact not only on disease control but also on grape and wine quality. Seeing how these microorganisms perform in real vineyard conditions will be a crucial step toward bridging the gap between experimental results and practical applications.

Knowing that my research could contribute to sustainable, eco-friendly solutions, reducing the use of chemical pesticides, and protecting our environment is incredibly fulfilling. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me, and I’m excited about the potential impact my work can have on the wine industry and beyond.