Plant & Environmental
Biotechnology Laboratory

Maria Feka

PhD in Molecular Plant Physiology

Maria Feka is an agronomist with a Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Physiology from the Plant Biotechnology and Environment Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of beneficial microorganisms and natural metabolites on plant defense responses under abiotic stress conditions. Specifically, she investigated the interactions between tomato plants and beneficial microorganisms, including the endophytic fungus Fusarium solani strain K and arbusular mycorrhizal fungi, aiming to elucidate the physiological, molecular, and hormonal mechanisms that enhance plant tolerance to drought and salinity stress.

Throughout her research career, she has participated in several national research projects related to agricultural microbiomes, microbial inoculants and circular agriculture. Her work has resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific conferences. She is currently working as an R&D Scientist at Plankton First, contributing to the development of microalgae-based biotechnology solutions and sustainable products for the food, aquaculture, and bioeconomy sectors. Her research interests include plant–microbe interactions, plant stress physiology, microbial biostimulants, microbiome-assisted crop improvement, and circular bioeconomy approaches.

Publications

Feka, M., Tsiouri, O., Manresa, M., Vasileiadis, S., Flors, V., & Papadopoulou, K. K. (2026). Priming plants to withstand drought tolerance: Systemic responses of tomato plants mediated by a root-residing fungal endophyte. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 231, 111058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111058

Feka, M., Chousein, B., Tsiouri, O., & Papadopoulou, K. K. (2025). ABA and Ethylene Mediates Tomato Root Development Modulation During Endophytic Fungal Interaction. Journal of Fungi, 11(10), 707. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11100707

Kakagianni M., Tsiknia M., Feka M., Vasileiadis S., Leontidou C., Kavroulakis N., Karamanoli A., Ehaliotis C., Karpouzas D.G., Papadopoulou KK. (2023) Above- and below-ground microbiome in the annual developmental cycle of the olive tree. FEMS Microbes 4: xtad001, https://doi.org/10.1093/femsmc/xtad001 

Samaras, K., Mourtiadou, S., Arampatzis, T., Kakagianni, M., Feka, M., Wäckers, F., Papadopoulou, K. K., Broufas, G. D., & Pappas, M. L. (2023). Plant-Mediated Effects of Beneficial Microbes and a Plant Strengthener against Spider Mites in Tomato. Plants, 12(4), 938. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040938

Leventis, G., Tsiknia, M., Feka, M., Ladikou, E. V., Papadakis, I. E., Chatzipavlidis, I., Papadopoulou, K., & Ehaliotis, C. (2021). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance growth of tomato under normal and drought conditions, via different water regulation mechanisms. Rhizosphere, 19, 100394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2021.100394

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