PhD Gabriela Mihalache is a scientific research assistant at L2 – CERNESIM and she obtained the PhD in Biology, in 2017, at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Romania, with a thesis on the interactions between rhizosphere microorganisms and plants. The main areas of interest include soil microbiology and plant physiology. The research directions focus on the interactions between plants and microorganisms (the ability of rhizobacteria to promote the growth and development of plants through direct or indirect mechanisms), biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi by rhizobacteria or their metabolic substances, biotic and abiotic stresses (pathogenic fungi, drought, high or low temperature, high salinity, heavy metals) in plants.