Current Research

Current research contributes to projects studying the implementation of a cyanobacterial CCM into higher plants, Rubisco catalytic diversity, Rubisco regulation under fluctuating conditions, and plant productivity engineering. Many of these projects involve close collaboration with colleagues at Lancaster, particularly within the Photosynthesis Team at LEC.

I have active collaborations with colleagues at the University of Illinois, Cornell University, University of Edinburgh, USDA-ARS, ITQB-Nova Lisboa, UC-Berkley and others.Linking academic research with business to enable innovations that improve sustainability issues are also a big part of my interests. I work with the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation as an Associate Director on this.When available, PhD or postdoc positions will be shared on the LEC Photosynthesis website among others. For Lancaster undergraduates we also attempt to fund multiple summer internships in photosynthesis each year.If you are interested in applying for funding to work with us either as a PhD or postdoc researcher, please get in touch, including info about the scheme you are interested in applying to.

Web Links

As part of the Photosynthesis group at LEC I also contribute to disseminating our research through managing the website and twitter of the group. @LancsPhotosynth on Twitter. Lancaster Photosynthesis website: Making the Most of Sunshine

Career Details

• 2022-present - Lecturer in Plant Biotechnology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univeristy.
• 2016-2022 - Senior Research Associate & Research Fellow, Lancaster University.
• 2012-2016- Postdoctoral positions at the Australian National Univeristy, Rothamsted Research (UK), and Lancaster University.
• 2008-2012 - Ph.D. (Plant Sciences), Australian National University, Australia. Thesis: Plant Rubisco biogenesis: a study of the requirements and processing steps during co- and post-translational modification of the large subunit, in the lab of Prof. Spencer M Whitney.
• 2007 - Applied Science Honours (Research year), La Trobe University, Australia. Thesis: Culture conditions affect the chemical composition of the exopolysaccharide synthesized by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, in the lab of Prof. Robert J Seviour.
• 2003-2006 - Bachelors of Applied Science (Biotechnology, Biochemistry)/Bachelors of Computing (Programming, Software Engineering), double degree program, La Trobe University, Australia.

PhD Supervision Interests

I actively seek opportunities for funding of PhD students to work with me on the topics my group covers. Whenever I have funded places available I advertise these on the LEC website and share via twitter. If you have a real interest or even project idea aligned with what I do and would like to apply for funding yourself (e.g. national scholarships to come to the UK) then by all means get in touch.