Simon joined Niab in 2012 to deliver large scale pathology trials, both commercial and academic. Data obtained from the performance of varieties in relation to disease resistance feeds into the National and Recommended List disease ratings.
His work has also encompassed the testing and efficacy of novel biocontrol agents and alternatives to conventional pesticides against a wide range of plant diseases and pests. He has also been involved in projects monitoring crop disease and surveillance enabling the early detection of plant pathogens in the field and the development of artificial intelligence for applied image analysis and diagnosis.
A focus in recent years has been on crop improvement in legumes and finding new sources of resistance to economically important diseases both in the UK and globally in such countries as South America and Africa.
Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network; Duration: 2024-2029: Lead: John Innes Centre, Partners: Niab, PGRO, UoReading, UoAberystwyth, Met Office; Defra; Niab.
Diagnosing and scoring diseases of crops using AI-based image analysis; Duration: 2024-2026; Industry Lead: Creative Innovations, Academic Lead: Innovate UK; Niab.
Philanthropic funding - Improving resistance to common bean diseases in Africa; Duration: 2022-2027; Partners: Niab, UoCambridge-CSC, CIAT-Uganda, NaCRRI, UoEmbu; Niab.
EAGLE: Enhanced Analytical and Genetics Tools for Improving UK Food Legumes; Duration: 2023-2027; Lead: Niab, Partner; John Innes Centre; BBSRC; Niab.
Niab
Park Farm
Villa Road
Histon
Cambridge
CB24 9NZ, UK
Tel: +44(0)1223 342200
Email: [email protected]
