Sarah Niehs

My scientific journey began in Germany, where I earned my B.Sc. and M.Sc., delving into the intricate world of metabolomics. I investigated the dynamic metabolic responses of cell lines to immunotoxic compounds and explored the fascinating metabolic profiles of lichen-associated bacteria. Driven by a deep curiosity for secondary metabolism, I pursued my Ph.D. under Prof. Dr. Christian Hertweck at the HKI Jena. My research centered on unraveling the crucial role of bacterial symbionts in maintaining the symbiotic lifestyle of an agricultural fungal pathogen. This experience ignited my passion for plant biology, as I recognized the unique and sophisticated communication strategies plants employ due to their sessile nature.To further explore this fascination, I joined the group of Dr. Elizabeth Sattely at Stanford University in 2021 as a postdoctoral fellow. My research focuses on illuminating the "molecular dark matter" of dietary and agriculturally important plants. Specifically, I am uncovering the mechanisms behind novel lipids in tomato defense against pathogens and characterizing stress-induced, Brassicaceae-specific peptides. These investigations aim to unlock the hidden potential of plant specialized metabolism for agricultural innovation and human health.

February 2025