The most relevant of the best: Dr. Naivy Yuvicel Nava Cruz received the REACH thesis award for her doctoral thesis

Today, Dr. Naivy Nava received the REACH thesis award for her doctoral thesis on chitosan-induced resistance in plants against nematodes. This award was presented this year for the first time, for the best Bachelor, Master, and doctoral theses of our university with a transfer potential. Naivy was one of two recipients for a doctoral thesis with relevance for application. This was briefly summarized by our alumnus Dr. Jasper Wattjes who is now an innovation scout at the REACH EUREGIO Start-up Centre of our university. Nematodes are ubiquitous pathogens invading plant roots, some of them causing tremendous losses in our crop plants. However, the nematicides of the past were so toxic that they are being phased out in the EU so that today, only the planting of genetically resistant crop cultivars can protect the plants. These, however, often give lower yields or are of inferior quality, or do not even exist at all for some crop species. Thus, a non-toxic, biological control method is urgently required – which Naivy was able to identify in a specific chitosan which can be applied to the plants with soil irrigation. Clearly, the award is well deserved! Currently, Naivy is working as a short-term postdoc in our group to tie up some loose ends, leaving soon for her home country Mexico. Meanwhile, we have applied for a follow-up project in an international collaboration with partners in Germany and France, to further refine the anti-nematode chitosan treatment, hopefully moving it towards a successful agro-biologic product. Our congratulation to Naivy, and our best wishes for a continuously successful career!