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About

Dominique Van Der Straeten is a pioneer in the non-invasive, real-time monitoring of plant health, specializing in the early detection of biotic and abiotic stress. Her core research integrates advanced imaging technologies—specifically chlorophyll fluorescence imaging and thermography—to visualize physiological changes in plants long before visible symptoms appear. Her landmark 2004 paper, cited over 259 times, demonstrated that these techniques could distinguish plant-pathogen interactions at an early stage, revolutionizing how researchers approach plant stress diagnosis. Van Der Straeten further advanced the field by developing robotized, time-lapse imaging systems, as shown in her work on pepper mild mottle virus infection and the detection of nutrient deficiencies in *Phaseolus vulgaris*. These innovations allow for the continuous, non-contact monitoring of photosynthesis and transpiration, enabling timely intervention in agriculture. Her research also extends to environmental toxicology, using imaging to assess the in-planta uptake and microbial degradation of herbicides. With a career dedicated to merging plant physiology with cutting-edge sensor technology, Van Der Straeten has provided the scientific community with powerful tools for precision agriculture and fundamental plant-pathogen interaction studies.