Marcela Aragón Gómez is a postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. She holds a Ph.D. in plant-microbe-insect interactions, where she investigated how insect herbivory and plant defense signaling shape rhizosphere microbiomes and influence plant resistance to insects. Her current research explores how aphid herbivory alters the plant phyllosphere microbiome, extending her focus from belowground to aboveground plant-associated microbial communities. Her broader research interest lies in harnessing beneficial microbes for more sustainable crop protection. Outside the lab, Marcela enjoys experimenting in the kitchen; from discovering new recipes and cooking techniques to the occasional fermentation project.