Alice Marcon, postdoc

Portrait — “I am inspired by people who ask the right questions and think creatively about challenges.”

“I am inspired by people who ask the right questions and think creatively about challenges.”

1. What fascinates you most about plant science?

Plants were on Earth long before animals and have evolved to adapt to almost any environment, shaping the ecosystems we all depend on today. What fascinates me most are the fine molecular mechanisms behind plant plasticity and adaptability, how environmental cues are translated into precise molecular responses. There is still so much to uncover, and it’s exciting to think about how new technologies will move the field forward and help shape more sustainable ways for us to interact with plants.

2. Tell us briefly what scientific questions you are pursuing at MPIPZ.

At MPIPZ, I’m investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate flower development in Arabidopsis, with a particular focus on the role of FLOWERING LOCUS T in floral primordia. I’m interested in understanding how environmental signals are integrated at the molecular level to trigger flower development and how FT interacts with other proteins to shape plant development. Gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular pathways controlling flowering is crucial, as it sheds light on plant reproduction and adaptation, knowledge that is key to developing strategies to enhance crop productivity and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Who has inspired you greatly in your career so far?

Many people I’ve met during my academic career have inspired me with their passion and dedication to their work. Their commitment to science and enthusiasm for their projects have shown me the power of curiosity, hard work, and perseverance, and continue to motivate me in my own career. I’m especially inspired by those who, even without all the answers, ask the right questions and think creatively to tackle challenges.

4. What did you find most challenging in your career so far?

One of the most challenging aspects of my career so far has been staying motivated when experiments don’t work as planned and maintaining self-belief in the face of rejections, whether from grant applications or paper submissions. It can be discouraging to invest so much effort into a project and not achieve the expected outcomes, but these experiences have taught me resilience and the importance of persistence. I’ve learned to see setbacks as opportunities to refine ideas, improve experiments, and grow as a scientist—reminding myself that rejection is often just redirection.

5. How do you see your future in science and why?

I see myself in academia because it’s an exciting environment that constantly challenges me to stay curious and keep learning. I hope to lead my own research group, focusing on crop productivity and biofortification, potentially collaborating with companies, to contribute to more sustainable ways of producing food. I also want to teach, share my passion with students, and inspire more people to engage with plant science.