Huw is the technical manager for the United Kingdom Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCVPS) monitoring UK cereal rust and mildew populations, detecting any changes that may have an adverse effect on UK agriculture.
Huw also contributes towards many cereal and broadleaf trials for Recommend List and Varity List testing. Huw’s research primarily focuses on cereal rust diseases however he has previously spent four years researching pathogens of Oilseed rape, peas & beans, potatoes and maize.
Research projects
United Kingdom Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey
Duration: 2024-2027
Partners: AHDB and Defra
The UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) monitors cereal rusts and mildews in the UK, detecting and warning industry and growers of new races of disease emerging on resistant varieties. It is funded by Defra and AHDB and has been managed by Niab since its inception over 50 years ago.
Understanding the eco-evolutionary drivers of emerging antifungal resistance
Duration: 2022-2026
Partners: Matthew Fisher & Leon Barron (Imperial College London), Andrew Singer (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology), Toni Gladding (The Open University)
This NERC funded project aims to use molecular-based surveys and ecological experimentation to map, measure and mechanistically dissect the eco-evolutionary processes including agricultural practices and green waste recycling that drive evolution of fungicide resistance in fungal pathogens. Focusing on the Aspergillus species complex, we will develop a systems-based approach that links the impact of fungicides on the ecology of fungal communities through to human exposure to these potentially deadly fungal bioaerosols.
Rust-resistant beans for Africa
Duration: 2025-2027
Partners and collaborators: Pamela Paparu (National Agricultural Research Organisation, Uganda), Clare Mukankusi (CIAT, Uganda), Willem Boshoff (University of the Free State, SA), Lida Derevnina (Crop Science Centre, Cambridge, UK)
This project funded through a philanthropic donation aims to enhance the fundamental understanding of intracellular nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat immune receptors (NLRs) regulatory networks in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), to identify novel sources of resistance to bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) that can be exploited for crop improvement through breeding, and to develop pathogenomics capability for conducting molecular monitoring and surveillance of bean rust races. This will help to greatly enhance basic understanding of common bean - U. appendiculatus pathosystem and provide new capabilities to support researchers and extension service providers in East Africa, enabling them to implement more effective disease control strategies.
Recent publications
Webb, A., Thomas, J.E., Davis, H., McAdam, S., Angra, D., O'Sullivan, D.M., Gostkiewicz, K., Capozzi, M. and Wood, T.A., 2025. Identification of QTLs linked to partial resistance to foot and root rot caused by Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium oxysporum in faba bean (Vicia faba). bioRxiv, pp.2025-02.
Davis, H.R., Maddison, A.L., Phillips, D.W. and Jones, H.D., 2020. Genetic transformation of protoplasts isolated from leaves of Lolium temulentum and Lolium perenne. Cereal Genomics: Methods and Protocols, pp.199-205.