Maja Drakula

PhD Student

 

 

Education

  • Since 2023:
    PhD studies at the Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Germany
  • 2020 - 2023:
    Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biosciences, University of Münster, Germany
    Master thesis: "The effect of a Schistocephalus solidus tapeworm infection on the functional response of Macrocyclops albidus copepods"
  • 2017 - 2020:
    Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biosciences, University of Münster, Germany
    Bachelor thesis: "Variation in aggressive behavior during nestmate discrimination in the invasive ant Cardiocondyla obscurior"

Work experience

  • 2022:
    Internship at Geomar Helmholtz Centre for Ozeanography, Kiel, Germany
  • 2015:
    Internship at Ozeanum, German Ozeanographic museum, Stralsund, Germany

Supervisors

  • Dr. Jaime M. Anaya-Rojas, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Joachim Kurtz, Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Germany
  • Dr. Blake Matthews, Eawag, Department of Fish Ecology and Evolution, Switzerland
  • Prof. Dr. Melanie Dammhahn, Institute for Neuro- and Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany

Research interests

  • Ecology

  • Species interactions

  • Evo-Eco dynamics

PhD project description

Parasites wield significant ecological and evolutionary influence, yet their impact is not on entire populations, species, or communities, but on individual hosts. Within infected hosts, parasites shape their environment by modifying physiology, morphology, and behavior. The responses of individuals to these changes vary, leaving a question unanswered: how do these individual differences affect broader natural communities, the flow of energy in ecosystems, and potentially spark eco-evolutionary feedback loops? To explore this, we blend computational models with extensive mesocosm experiments to investigate how parasite-induced niche individualization in hosts contributes to the far-reaching effects seen in ecosystems. Our computational models aim to uncover scenarios where parasite-induced effects alter individual trophic specialization and trigger eco-evolutionary feedback loops. In our mesocosm experiments, we introduce two strains of the trophically transmitted tapeworm S. solidus, varying in virulence and niche construction impact. By combining stable isotopes, stomach content analysis, and transcriptomics, we delve into the interplay between parasite virulence, and stickleback niche individualization. Additionally, we investigate the ecological and evolutionary outcomes by examining trophic cascade strength and the selection pressures on future generations of fish and parasites. This comprehensive approach aims to reveal how parasite traits drive host niche individualization, consequently shaping the intricate dynamics of eco-evolutionary systems within host-parasite interactions.