Richard has worked in NIAB’s wheat pre-breeding department since its inception in 2007. He played a significant role in producing two Multi-Parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) populations which have provided a valuable resource for dissecting trait genetic architecture.
I am a research professional with a PhD in plant molecular biology. My passion lies in using molecular and bioinformatics tools to explore the interactions between plants and their environment, focusing on enhancing crop production and sustainability. Currently, I contribute to innovative project as a Plant Molecular Biologist at NIAB, focusing on regulatory elements in crops. My expertise includes various molecular techniques, biochemistry, and plant physiology.
Julia works in NIAB's crop transformation team, where her research interests span molecular biology, gene editing, synthetic biology and development.
My role is split in two. The soil sampling side of my job has me in the field digging for root and soil samples which I then analyse. On the knowledge exchange side of my role, I organise knowledge transfer events such as webinars and farm walks as well as create dissemination materials which are aimed at farmers and agronomists.
Current research/PhD projects
Centre for High Carbon Capture
4 year project (3.5 years left)
20 partners
DEFRA, Innovate UK
I joined the team of Dr. Stéphanie Swarbreck as a PhD student in October 2023. In my project the overall hypothesis to be tested is whether we can reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions associated with wheat production by careful selection of new wheat lines and agronomic practises associated with regenerative agriculture.
During my Ph.D., I worked with Dr. Saikat Bhattacharjee at the UNESCO-Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India where I elucidated the virulence function of HopA1 effectors from different pathovars of Pseudomonas syrinage and its evolution to avoid its recognition in planta. Following my Ph.D., I worked as a visiting Researcher with Prof. Florian Grundler at the University of Bonn, Germany where I was involved in studying the plant-nematode interaction.
Nastasiya is a mathematician with a background in probability theory and statistics and interest in solving complex biological questions through mathematical modelling and use of machine learning. She is particular interested in alternative approaches to modelling and analysis of biological data, such as FSPM (functional-structural crop modelling) and use of formal logic. Other interests involve multi-scale modelling (integration of knowledge from several different domains) and method development.
Nitrogen response in wheat and other crops; sustainable agricultural practises; arbuscular mycorrhizae.
Wheat decision: to respond or not respond to available nitrogen; Duration: March 2022-2025; Partners: NIAB (lead); Funding: BBSRC
Graham's research is focused on understanding mechanisms that facilitate plant-environment interactions and increase crop resilience to climate change. These topics are approached using a combination of genetic and physiological tools, with a main focus on stomatal traits. Stomata are key gatekeepers for plant-environment interactions because they control gas-exchange at the leaf surface. They strongly contribute to water-use efficiency, photosynthetic processes, temperature regulation, hydraulic integrity, and organismal plasticity.
