Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Charissa De Bekker. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.
Dr. Charissa de Bekker is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University. Her research centers on the manipulation of animal behavior by parasites, specifically through fungal interactions. Using a model system involving the Ophiocordyceps genus, her lab studies how these fungi influence their ant hosts' behavior to enhance their reproductive success. The aim is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind these behaviors, focusing on how pathogenic fungi use secondary metabolites and proteins to manipulate host physiology. Through an integrative approach that combines multi-omics techniques, molecular microbiology, infection biology, and chronobiology, her work seeks to deepen the understanding of mycoses in animals and improve treatments for fungal infections in humans. Additionally, her research aims to discover novel natural products for sustainable pest control, demonstrating significant overlap between basic and applied sciences in her work.
Utrecht University • Utrecht, Netherlands
Leading research on the interactions between fungi and animal behavior.
Department of Psychology