Having recently successfully completed my PhD I am continuing employment at NIAB EMR as a post-doctoral researcher. I have worked on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for 14 years firstly at the University of Kent and now at NIAB EMR.

My research focuses on examining the role that mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play in the uptake of water and nutrients in crop production. I have a particular interest in the use of these beneficial microorganisms in commercial strawberry substrate production. Current research focuses on plant response to AMF and PGPR and the possible mechanisms responsible for the observed benefits to plants. Novel molecular methods, such as high throughput sequencing and RNA seq, are being used to better understand these complex interactions.