A series of articles profiling researchers and their work within MARBLES. The series is showcased in the MARBLES e-newsletters, social media channels and website, with the purpose of aiding researchers to engage with the public about their research.

Name: Dr Sylvia Soldatou

Based: Greek-Italian based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Member of MARBLES partner: UNIABN.

Academic background and research areas: Postdoctoral researcher specialised in microbial marine natural products discovery through multi-omics approaches.

Advice you would give or a favourite quote: “Above all, don't fear difficult moments. The best comes from them” – Rita Levi-Montalcini, Italian Nobel laureate.

Current research role and work within MARBLES: I work in the Marine Biodiscovery Centre (UNIABN) as a postdoctoral researcher involved in WP4. Within MARBLES we work closely with microbiologists who assess the potential of marine microorganisms to suppress diseases and our task is to isolate, identify and characterise the metabolites responsible for such biological activities.Working in such a multidisciplinary project with talented scientists is a great opportunity to strengthen existing collaborations and create new ones!

MARBLES related fact: As much as I am interested in discovering new natural products from marine microorganisms, I am trying to learn more about the history of natural products. I find it fascinating how far back our interest in marine organisms go! In 400 BC the Greek physician Hippocrates reportedly observed that sea sponges showed antibiotic properties and he recommended to put them on soldiers' wounds. Nowadays, it is known that sponges are a rich source of biologically active secondary metabolites which are (also) produced indirectly by symbiotic microorganisms.

Email and social media links: sylvia.soldatou2@abdn.ac.uk, @SylviaSoldatou, @MBC_UoA