Dr Michelle Fountain

Research interests

Dr Michelle Fountain is an accomplished applied entomologist with over 20 years of experience managing pests, enhancing beneficial insects, and advancing Integrated Pest Management in temperate fruit crops. Her wide-ranging research and applied projects, and work on landscape management and habitats, aim to reduce the impact of fruit growing on the environment while delivering beneficial commercial outcomes. As convenor of the international IOBC Integrated Fruit Protection working group, Michelle is a recognised leader in tackling globally invasive pests like Drosophila suzukii, collaborating internationally with industry, retailers, and growers to develop innovative crop protection solutions.

As Head of Science, Michelle will shape Niab’s scientific direction to align future crop needs, with UK policy, and industry drivers. Collaborating with teams across Niab, she will transform reliable, independently validated data into ‘real-world’, sustainable and productive cropping solutions for farmers and growers. Michelle also aims to help research leaders target crucial funding streams, ensuring Niab continues to deliver pioneering and innovative crop science that benefits society.

Research projects

• AgroBioCONNECT – ERA-NET (2023-2026) Connections in the landscape. Role of landscape complexity in agroecosystem sustainability
• Opportunities for Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Apples and Pears: Tackling British Apple and Pears Ltd. Priorities: PAPPLe III
• Defra IUK ADOPT (2026-2028) ABC: Adopt Biologicals for the Control of Spotted Winged Drosophila in soft fruit
• British Berry Growers & British Stone Fruit Ltd (2026) Monitoring Drosophila suzukii
• British Berry Growers (2026) Berry IPM II

Full publication list on Google Scholar and ResearchGate