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  • Israel Luna Alves

    Israel Luna Alves

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    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0955-6737
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Israel Luna Alves

Overview of thesis

My PhD research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying intra- and intergenerational drought stress memory in oats, with the goal of identifying protein-based markers to enhance climate resilience in cereal crops. Building on my expertise in analytical chemistry and bioactive compound characterization, this project applies advanced proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and peptidomic techniques to uncover how post-translational modifications and signalling peptides regulate drought adaptation at the molecular level.

My research aims to characterize how drought stress memory operates within individual oat plants (intra-generational) and is transmitted to their progeny (intergenerational), and to identify molecular signatures that distinguish drought-tolerant from drought-sensitive cultivars.

Two contrasting oat cultivars will be subjected to controlled drought conditions across two consecutive generations. Tissue samples from grain, leaf, and root will be collected across five developmental stages using global discovery proteomics (data-dependent acquisition), targeted quantification approaches (data-independent acquisition and SWATH-MS), phosphoproteomics, and peptidomics. Multivariate and network analyses will integrate these datasets to identify persistent molecular signatures associated with drought memory and tolerance.

We expect this research will reveal the protein-level mechanisms governing drought stress memory in oats and deliver molecular markers with potential application in breeding programmes for developing drought-resilient cultivars suited to Australian rainfed agriculture. The findings will contribute to advancing sustainable crop production under climate variability and support global food security.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Proteomics and Plant Stress Physiology), Edith Cowan University, Australia (2025–present)
  • M.Sc. Res. in Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (2020–2023)
  • B.Sc. in Food Engineering, Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil (2013–2019)

Research

Research Interests

  • Plant stress physiology, drought adaptation, and climate-resilient crop development
  • Proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and post-translational modifications in plant stress responses
  • Food science, food processing, bioactive compounds, and functional food development
  • Analytical chemistry and advanced mass spectrometry applications

Research Employment History

  • 2025–present: Doctor of Philosophy Researcher, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
  • 2020–2023: Master's Researcher, Food Science and Technology Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Past Teaching

  • 2015–2017: Laboratory Demonstrator (Food Microbiology and Food Processing), Food Engineering Department, Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil
  • 2014–2016; 2024–2025: English Language Tutor (Private and Educational Institution), Brazil

Scholarships and Awards

  • 2025–2028: ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science – CIPPS (HDR Stipend and Tuition Fee Offset), Edith Cowan University (ECU)
  • 2020–2023: Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - CAPES Merit-Based Stipend Master's Scholarship, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
  • 2015–2016: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq Merit-Based Stipend Laboratory Demonstrator Assistantship, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB)

Supervisors

Contact

Israel Luna Alves
PhD Candidate
Centre of Crops and Horticulture Analytics for Nutrition and Climate Excellence (CHANCE)
School of Science
Email: i.luna@ecu.edu.au
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