His research activity concentrates on the molecular physiology of abiotic stress responses in photosynthetic organisms, including plants and unicellular algae, to help them withstand adverse environmental conditions. These studies explore the mechanisms of sensing overexcitation and translating stress signals to adjust cellular metabolism. These mechanisms are crucial for crop productivity and optimizing light use efficiency in microalgal growth. He has applied insights from this research to develop strategies for domestication of algal strains, enhancing biomass yield in photobioreactors.
The research approach is multidisciplinary, integrating various fields and employing a combination of analytical techniques such as genetics, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics. The biological systems currently used in this research include Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum, which are land plants beneficial for reverse genetics, photoprotection, excess-light acclimation analysis, and recombinant protein production. Additionally, Chlorella vulgaris and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, both green algae, are studied for developing strains with improved light-use efficiency and exploring the conversion of solar energy into CO2-neutral biofuels.