Advancing Evolutionary Biology Through Genomics

We are proud to celebrate the achievement of Dr. Donikë Sejdiu, who successfully defended her PhD thesis in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Zurich on July 29, 2025.

Her doctoral work explored herbarium genomics to study the evolution of crop pathogens—an area of research that not only expands our scientific understanding but also carries significant implications for agriculture and global food security.

Dr. Sejdiu expressed deep gratitude to her supervisors, Prof. Verena Schünemann and Dr. Simon Aeschbacher, as well as to her collaborators, colleagues, and family, who supported her throughout this journey.

“This work has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to grow as a scientist and collaborator.”

Her success is a testament to perseverance, curiosity, and the spirit of scientific collaboration.

We warmly congratulate Dr. Sejdiu on this milestone and look forward to the new paths she will shape in evolutionary biology and genomics.