Dr. Merve S. Zeden is a microbiologist specializing in the study of how Staphylococcus aureus responds to antibiotics and environmental stressors. During her PhD, Dr. Zeden investigated cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a signaling molecule present in many bacterial species and thought to contribute to cell survival. Dr. Zeden discovered the mechanism by which c-di-AMP is essential to the survival of S. aureus bacteria under specific conditions, exemplifying how S. aureus bacteria can adapt to and survive in extreme environments.

Dr. Zeden’s recent publication in mBio shows that purine nucleosides (which are sugar versions of the building blocks of DNA) interfere with c-di-AMP levels in S. aureus cells and hamper its antibiotic resistance. This finding, which has been featured by Irish news outlets and on the podcast “This Week in Microbiology,” has enormous implications for the battle against the methicillin-resistant superbug MRSA commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes.  

We sat down with Merve to learn more about her career.

Could you tell us a little more about your background? What was your educational journey like?

To start from the beginning, I’m from Cyprus, which is where I did all my early schooling. Then, I took the exams needed to enter the UK for university. I applied to Imperial College London, got in, and did my undergraduate microbiology degree. Then, also at Imperial College London, I did both my Masters of Research in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infection and my PhD in Microbiology studying cyclic dinucleotides in Staphylococcus aureus. I ended up in Galway for my postdoctoral research position, and I’ve continued working on antimicrobial resistance and S. aureus ever since.

So, what drew you to the field of microbiology?

You know, there’s usually some sort of turning point along the way where you realize, “Oh, I really want to do this.” In my case, I remember learning about microbes in biology lessons at school. I was just fascinated by how small these tiny things are and how much they can do. They can cause problems, but also they can be good for you. I really just wanted to understand how bacteria do these things and what they’re like. How can they be so small yet have such an impact on our lives?

It wasn’t one breakthrough moment; I think I was always interested. So, I guess it was just curiosity that that really drew me in. 

Was there something that attracted you to the cyclic di-AMP project specifically?

It’s fascinating how, at different sites in the body, we have different molecular compositions, and the bacteria adapt to those locations to cause different types of disease. During my masters, I worked with cyclic di-GMP and cyclic di-AMP, and was fascinated by all of the signaling mechanisms and complicated pathways. Our understanding of cyclic di-GMP was significantly better than our understanding of cyclic di-AMP, which plays a big role that we haven’t fully identified. I wanted to find out more. 

Throughout your research career, and maybe even before that, have there been any female mentors or role models who have helped shape your journey?

Yes, a hundred percent. 

Just before I started studying microbiology, my cousin (Dr. Buket Baddal) was becoming a microbiologist herself. I’d chosen microbiology before I knew she was going to do a microbiology degree, and it was inspiring to see her journey. I think watching her drive her own career abroad developed my interest in doing the same. 

During my undergraduate final ten-week project, I was supervised by a female postdoc (Dr. Martina Valentini), who was studying all the intricate details of RNA regulation. That was cool to see, particularly how she pushed herself and explained her story. She ended up training me during the first six months of my master’s project as well, which was nice. I worked with another wonderful female postdoc (Dr. Lisa Bowman) during the second half of my masters project. 

Finally, Prof. Angelika Gründling was my PhD supervisor, who greatly influenced my career. She’s an incredibly intelligent woman who gets things done. It’s been really fun to work with female scientists and draw inspiration from them. Recently, I’ve also found I really admire women who can have work, a family, and a life, and have it all come out even.

We may have heard through the grapevine that you’re starting a lab of your own soon!

Yes! Yes, I just got my fellowship. I’m so excited to get that journey started. Right now, I’m hiring PhD students. So it’s like, what is this?

You know, you don’t believe it at first. It’s like, did that just happen?

Congratulations! It’s so well-deserved. That leads us to our next question… At this point, what challenges have you faced, either specific to your experiences as a woman in science or in general?

Here and there, I’ve come across situations where someone asks, “Oh, is there a more senior person who can answer our question rather than you?” on a phone call, or at a conference. And you have to say, “Actually, I am the senior person here. So, no. But I’ll link you to another male professor, if you would like.” 

I have been in situations like that. Not too often, but it does happen. And it probably happens to women more often than not. 

Personally, I don’t know. My life can seem like it’s go, go, go! all the time. Not that anybody is telling me to keep going, but there’s a difference between working because you feel like you have to prove yourself and working because you love the work.

Sometimes, especially when you’re under pressure to “make it,” it can be hard to tell which one you’re feeling. Looking back, maybe I should have taken more breaks, but that’s probably more of a personality thing.

Cyprus is pretty far away from both Imperial College London and Galway. Are there any additional challenges that you’ve faced working so far from home?

My first year away from home was a bigger challenge. It was a different country, a second language whose day-to-day use I found was completely different from the language you learn in a textbook. But it wasn’t much of a problem because people were welcoming. It was maybe the first month of lectures I attended where I probably only caught a third of it. That didn’t stop me from succeeding in exams. It just didn’t make me comfortable enough to speak out loud, at first. 

As far as visiting home, it takes a while to get there and come back, so I don’t visit as often as I would if they were closer. And there is a little bit of guilt associated with not being there as people get older, but also you have your own ambitions and goals. My family has been supportive, though.

Life in academic research can be difficult to explain sometimes, but everything’s easier when you’re passionate about your work. What would you say is your favorite part about your job?

Microbiology is a dynamic field, and I think that’s the part I love most: conferences, and collaborations, and meeting scientists from all around the world. 

I also really enjoy teaching someone something and seeing them blossom in their own career. It’s nice to see that you make an impact, or make a difference in someone’s future and see that passion in the people you teach. Like when you teach undergraduate students and you see their eyes sparkle– that’s what science is about. The same is true when you do outreach for younger children and see their enthusiasm about even something like a DNA extraction from a banana. Feeding that spark is so fun!

If you had any sort of advice you could give to a younger student, or a past self, or anyone starting on their scientific journey, what would it be?

Choose a project that you like. It’s so important because that project will drive you. If you like what you do, it doesn’t feel like you’re working. Honestly, I could be in the lab doing 12 or 18 hour days, and it doesn’t matter if I’m enjoying the work.

Of course, there’s always balance. But enjoyment is so important! 

Also, find a team you can fit into before you choose to do a PhD. Talk to the people in the group before you decide on a final advisor to see how they work with their trainees. In academia, you need to be able to be a good fit for both the research group and the investigator you’re working with. You’re with them most of the day. Most of your life, during those four or however many years. So, it’s really important to have supportive people around you. 

Find the environment that’s right for you. 

One last question to wrap things up: Are there any fun facts about yourself you’d like to share? Anything about your life outside research that might surprise someone, or any hobbies you enjoy?

I love yoga, and hiking, and things like that. And cold water swimming in the Atlantic Ocean! A dip a day. It’s so cold, but you get used to it. Once you do, it’s such a nice thing to do for yourself; it really makes a difference in your mood.

(We’ll take Merve’s word for that one.)