Daniela’s research aims to uncover the unrecognized diversity of microbial eukaryotes belonging to the SAR (Stramenopila, Alveolata and Rhizaria) clade, using targeted environmental 18S surveys coupled with high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing. She is also investigating whether regulatory pathways driven by small non-coding RNAs are present in red algae and their parasites, determining the influence of these sRNA mechanisms in the host-parasite interactions.