Sebastian (Basti) Samwald is one of our ’40 Faces of Plant Pathology’
BSPP members can be found in 51 different countries, with 30% of members based in countries outside of the UK. As part of the BSPPs 40th anniversary, we asked our membership to describe some things about themselves, what plant pathology challenges they would most like to see solved, and what could improve the world of plant pathology in terms of inclusivity. Click here to return to 40 Faces Home Page.
Sebastian (Basti) Samwald
Institution and country of residence
John Innes Centre, United Kingdom
Position title
PhD student
Area of expertise/study
I study the perception of fungi by plants. In particular I study how plants regulate their cell-to-cell connections (plasmodesmata) during infections. For this purpose I study the receptor proteins of plants, which are necessary to perceive the presence of fungi. I am particularly interested in the proteins surrounding these receptors and how they define and affect the receptor capabilities. For this I am mostly focusing on plasma membrane nanodomain defining proteins and how they interact with receptors.
About your early experiences in education
Growing up in Austria, I chose a more unusual type of tertiary school, which enabled me to not only finish my Austrian A-levels equivalent, but also to acquire an additional degree in environmental and constructional engineering.
Even though I have changed fields since then, first to a Botany undergrad followed by a Botany Master’s program, to a PhD focusing on molecular cell biology, I often find that this core education in engineering helps me put an additional and beneficial angle in my ability to understand and conceptualise science.
If you could solve one problem in plant pathology, what would it be?
The perception in the public. Often plant pathology is not perceived very highly as a ‘funding worthy’ discipline by society in comparison to other disciplines. Even though literally the whole world in one way or another depends on it. I think plant pathology as a field deserves more positive attention.
If you could solve one issue relating to inclusivity and diversity within the field of plant pathology what would it be?
It is impossible for me to pull out a single issue that could be solved in a single field, to make everything better. As particularly in academia (as well as in society), a lot of issues relating to inclusivity and diversity are intersectional and feed into each other. Every issue has to get better. If I would have to get pinned on solving a single issue, then I would suggest to solve discrimination in all of its forms.
If you weren’t a plant pathologist, what would you be?
Either a microscope technician, or an environmental and constructional engineer.
