Kirsty Mcleary

Over 30 years’ applied experience in crop research; breeding; pathology: tissue culture along with knowledge exchange and collaborating with industry. Extensive practical knowledge of fruit breeding, ranging from the crossing programme to trial recording, data analysing and reporting.

As a very experienced micropropagation specialist, advice and skills are often sought by both internal and external clients. Ability to meristem any species has been invaluable to many clients. Expertise in disease resistance screening experiments on a wide range of pathogens for a variety of fruits. Having spent many years in the DNA lab also has a broad understanding underpinning DNA work that is carried out. 

Managed the operational and commercial activities in the high health plant sector at the NSA inline with APHA/Defra compliance and was the lead representative for the business.

For the last four years Kirsty has setup and managed the high health tissue culture facility at Niab, bringing in commercial contracts along with providing technical R&D support for internal projects.

Projects

2021– present. Maintenance of strawberry/raspberry collections.

Along with providing technical R&D support for internal projects. 

2025– present. Micropropagation of Elm resistant clone in vitro. (PI). KCC.

2024-2025. Cauliflower tissue culture service, (PI). H.M.Claus.

2023-2024. Virus elimination in hops. (PI). Charles Faram & Co Ltd.

2022-2023. Tissue culture protocols for houseplants. (PI). E.W.Pepper Ltd.