Associate Professor in Plant-Soil Processes, University of Leeds
I have two key research interests. The first is plant-fungal symbioses and their applications in sustainable agriculture. Today, it is estimated that more than 80% of land plants, representing over 90% of plant families, form nutritional symbioses with soil-dwelling fungi. My research aims to expand our understanding of these symbioses with important applications in sustainable agriculture.
I'm also interested in the evolution of plant-fungal symbioses, and in particular how the biotic and abiotic environments interact to drive plant evolution and the development of the terrestrial biosphere. This key question underpins my research into the interactions between ancient land plant lineages and symbiotic soil fungi. Plant-fungal symbioses date back to when plants first colonized Earth’s landmasses more than 475 million years ago, and we are only just starting to understand the diversity, structure and physiological function of the relationships between early branching lineages of land plants and their symbiotic fungi. My research aims to shed new light on the role fungal symbionts may have played in the development of Earth’s ecosystems.
The secret world of moss, ancient ancestor of all plants and vital for the health of the planet
May 29, 2023 05:42 am UTC| Nature
When people consider extraordinary plants, most probably dont spare a thought for moss. It blends in against the green background of plant life, and seems to grow everywhere whether you want it to or not. You can...
Do trees really stay in touch via a 'wood-wide web'? Here's what the evidence says
Feb 14, 2023 13:06 pm UTC| Nature
Trees in a forest might look solitary but they are connected underground by a complex network of thread-like strands of fungi, some of which may only be visible to us as mushrooms on the surface. Through these connections...
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