Julia Jeczala

Research interests

My research focuses on the plant cuticle and its role in CAM photosynthesis, a key adaptation to water-limited environments. I investigate morphological, functional, and genetic aspects, including gene expression, anatomical structure, minimum conductance, and cuticle composition using Raman spectroscopy. The project compares five Aeonium species (Crassulaceae) across different stages of leaf development. This genus evolved through adaptive radiation after a single ancestral species colonized the Canary Islands from Africa, diversifying into different ecological niches.
Overall, this work aims to link cuticle structure and composition to function and ecological adaptation.

Collaboration partners

• Priv.-Doz. Melanie Kaliwoda (LMU, Munich, Germany and SNSB-MSM, Germany)
• Dr. Christopher Garvey (TUM, Munich, Germany)