Ebrahim Shabbir Takulla

My PhD aims to investigate how nitrogen limitation and combined nitrogen–phosphorus colimitation affect lipid remodelling, photophysiology, motility and growth in four ecologically important marine phytoplankton species such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Gephyrocapsa huxleyi and Isochrysis galbana. These organisms are responsible for a substantial proportion of global carbon fixation and yet their metabolic and physiological responses to simultaneous nutrient stress remain poorly understood especially under co-limitation.
Using controlled nutrient-manipulation experiments, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) lipidomics, ¹⁴C-based carbon-fixation assays, imaging flow cytometry and CRISPR-Cas functional genetics, my research aims to uncover how nutrient scarcity restructures membrane lipids, regulates photosynthesis, affects cellular motility and growth and ultimately shapes biogeochemical roles in future nutrient-depleted oceans.

Before starting my PhD, I completed a Master of Science in Microbiology with Advanced Practice at Teesside University, where I graduated with Distinction. During my MSc, I undertook multiple research projects across analytical chemistry and molecular biology at the National Horizons Centre, Darlington. My most pronounced project was working on heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters to generate novel antimicrobial analogue. This work allowed me to develop strong expertise and interest in molecular biology and genetic engineering, including CRISPR-Cas, Lambda Red recombination, plasmid construction, PCR, electroporation, chromatographic techniques and antimicrobial screening. In addition, I held laboratory roles in clinical and industrial microbiology earlier in my career, which strengthened my practical laboratory experience, data handling and quality-controlled workflow management. 

I chose to pursue doctoral research because my previous work in molecular biology, genetic engineering and microbial physiology made me increasingly interested in understanding the potential of microbial genome and how microbial systems responded to multiple stresses. My MSc research gave me hands-on experience in executing genetic and biochemical experiments and through this I realised that I wanted to work at a more complex level bridging genetic engineering and molecular biology with environmental microbiology to work towards environmental betterment and sustainability. A PhD project allows me to explore these fundamental biological mechanisms. In this case, how nutrient stress shapes lipid remodelling, metabolism and physiology in marine phytoplankton. This topic brings together several scientific areas I am passionate about like microbial ecophysiology, genetic engineering, biochemical pathways and environmental sustainability. Doctoral research is the pathway that will allow me to develop expertise in advanced technical methods such as LC–MS lipidomics, CRISPR engineering and radioisotope assays. 

I was drawn to the CENTA studentship because it offered an interdisciplinary training environment that included molecular biology, environmental science and computational approaches all themes I am passionate about. CENTA’s structured training programme, specialist workshops and cross-institution collaborations perfectly complement the requirements for a good career start in environmental science and ecology. CENTA also emphasises cohort-based learning and professional development which aligns with my long-term goals of becoming an independent researcher and pursue a career in academia. 

The training and research environment at the University of Warwick and CENTA will equip me with the technical and analytical expertise needed for a competitive research career. My project covers multiple cutting-edge areas such as LC–MS lipidomics, CRISPR-Cas gene editing, imaging flow cytometry, radioisotope assays and bioinformatics which will equip me with a highly versatile skill set. Working closely with the Marine Biological Association will strengthen my experience in marine microbiology and functional genetics. My long-term career plan is to pursue a research-focused role, either through a postdoctoral position or within a research institute focusing on microbial ecology, marine biotechnology or metabolic regulation under environmental stress. Completing this PhD will allow me to develop the technical depth, interdisciplinary perspective and publication record necessary to continue building a career at the intersection of molecular biology and environmental science.