Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska

Prof. Aleksandra Obrępalska-Stęplowska is a molecular biologist specializing in plant sciences. Head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute (IPP-NRI) in Poznań, Poland. 

She graduated in biotechnology from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, where she later earned her PhD in Life Sciences with a specialization in molecular biology. She holds a habilitation degree in agricultural sciences, focusing on plant virology and agronomy. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying multi-level interactions between plants, microorganisms (including viruses, pathogenic RNAs, and symbiotic bacteria), and insects, as well as the induction of plant immunity and mechanisms of pesticide resistance. A key aspect of her work involves developing modern diagnostic tools for the detection and differentiation of plant pathogens and pests. She is also actively involved in science communication and outreach.