In the MICROBIOMES4SOY project, we are collaborating with the support of wonderful early-career researchers. To highlight their contribution to the project, we invite you to meet our PhD Students through these short introductions. Discover the people behind the science: their motivations, research focus, and hopes for the impact of their work.
Meet Miriana, working contributing to the project from Italy at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences:
My name is Miriana Vicino, and I am a PhD student at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna. I am part of a dynamic research group dedicated to advancing sustainable food, feed, and industrial supply chains through the study of oil, protein, and lignocellulosic crops. My research journey began with investigating drought stress responses in the novel oilseed crop Camelina sativa. Currently, my work centers on soybean cultivation, exploring its interactions with plant growth-promoting bacteria and its response to water deficit.
Within the MICROBIOMES4SOY project, I contribute by overseeing field and semi-controlled environment trials. This includes monitoring soybean plant development throughout the entire growing season and assessing key growth, physiological, and productivity parameters. For example, a recent activity has involved harvesting a trial comparing different soyabean varieties and agronomic practices to identify the most sustainable combinations. Another major activity this year involved growing soyabean in lysimeters under water deficit to evaluate whether co-inoculation treatments can improve stress tolerance.
What motivates me most in this project is trying to develop practical solutions that support future agriculture and address climate challenges. Moreover, I have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from leading scientists across various disciplines, confronting my research with diverse perspectives that enrich my knowledge. Looking ahead, I aim to continue studying soyabean cultivation and drought stress while maintaining strong ties to practical, field-based research – engaging directly with farmers to ensure that science translates into real-world impact.
