Research Overview

Hattie is an enthusiastic plant biologist (‘phyter’) whose previous research has predominantly focussed on the relationship between cruciferous plants and their immediate environment (invertebrates, nutrients, heavy metals, and the atmosphere). Her career goal is to meaningfully contribute to scientific understanding of how crop traits may be targeted and utilised to increase yield/quality. She is currently a research associate in The Lundgren Lab focussing on the phenotypic components and spatial transcriptome of C₂ plants.

Hattie’s PhD was split between Lancaster University and UKCEH Bangor and investigated the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of globally important Brassica oilseed species to the phytotoxic air pollutant, ozone . She found that the seed yield and quality of spring and winter oilseed rape declined different under summer-time ozone exposure, making ozone a hidden threat to crop productivity but also providing an opportunity to exploit ozone tolerance in this economically important crop.

Other previous projects explored the surprising evidence of carnivory in seeds of an arable weed, and the distribution of a rare fungus in The Burren, Ireland while at Aberystwyth University.

Hattie is also in the editing team of the Botanical University Challenge publication The Thymes.