Michael Plank

Dr. Plank studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Regensburg and University of Vienna and obtained his PhD in Systems Biology from the University of Oxford with a thesis focused on the identification and characterization of methylation as a post-translational protein modification, using mass spectrometry. He went on to a postdoc position at the University of Geneva, studying the role of protein kinases in regulating cell growth and continued working on the subject at the University of Arizona, with a particular focus on Protein Kinase A. He has recently become increasingly interested in how the underlying signaling pathways may be targeted to combat fungal pathogens and hopes to continue his career as an academic group leader, utilizing mass spectrometry, Systems Biology and screening approaches to better understand morphological transitions pathogenic yeasts undergo during host infection.

Apart from some teaching assistant activities, Dr. Plank has taught a mass spectrometry course at the University of Geneva and is currently co-teaching Introduction to Systems Biology with Prof. Andrew Capaldi. Teaching introductory and advanced Systems Biology classes, as well as experimental design and data analysis are his main teaching interests for the future. While he is still experimenting with what kind of teacher he will be, he hopes his approaches will strengthen student motivation, lead to long-term-retention, and result in better understanding. He also hopes to contribute to the scientific community by educating students and colleagues on his favorite experimental techniques and advising early career researchers on navigating academia.