Staff

Research interests

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
2023-2027
20 partners
Defra, Innovate UK

Katherine’s research interests include plant-pathogen interactions and the many disciplines involved in this, including genetics, molecular microbiology and plant breeding.

Currently she is carrying out a PhD in environment and agrifood, and is based between NIAB at East Malling and Cranfield University. Her project focusses on the sexual reproduction of the apple scab fungus (Venturia inaequalis) with the aim to identify new methods to reduce the incidence and severity of infection in orchards.

Research interests

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.

Research interests

M.Sc. Food Science and Biotechnology (How to control diabetes with Moringa oleifera)

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.

The Group Leader provides scientific leadership in viticulture and oenology research and development of the Wine Innovation Centre.

I work with Nathan Morris and David Clarke as part of the NIAB Soils team at Morley in Norfolk. Predominately my work is focused on long term research projects looking at; improving soil health, cultivations, crop rotations, cover cropping, fungicide performance and soil amendments. Our work is mostly based out of Morley and across East Anglia including our Saxmundham research site and the STAR project, Suffolk.

Research interests