I am an ecological geneticist with a background in plant ecology. I am interested in the genetics of species interactions and use molecular tools to answer ecological questions. I work across a wide variety of systems (plants, pollinators, herbivores, microbes) and biomes (temperate and tropical) and use molecular, experimental and field approaches to answer questions.

Current projects include understanding the population and conservation genetics of coastal plants (mangroves) for adaptation and restoration, improving ex situ conservation and reintroduction success of endangered plants (bryophytes, carnivorous plants) and developing molecular tools for the for the quantification of biodiversity in human influenced environments (soil health in agriculture, plant-pollinator networks).

I am interested in complex problems that require a cross-disciplinary approach and am deputy director of the Research England funded Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Systems (CRISPS). I am a co-investigator on the NERC UK Treescapes: Voices of the Future project and a member of the University of Plymouth Environmental Land Management Strategic Knowledge Exchange Hub (ELMS-Exchange).

Member of IUCN SSC for Bryophytes (ex situ expert)

NERC Peer Review College and panel member

Current students

Izadora Kervin, Developing capacity in ex situ conservation for threatened bryophytes.

Lydia Bunn, Restoring resilient mangroves - can consideration of genetic diversity improve success?

Alumni

(primary supervisor)

2021 - John Paul Kennedy (PhD) - Genetic Insights into Climate-Driven Range Expansion of a Coastal Foundation Species - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Marciana Galambao (PhD) - Population Genetics, Endosymbionts and Bunchy Top Virus - Studies of Banana Aphid (Pentalonia sp.) in the Philippines - Manchester Metropolitan University - Newton fund
2020 - Emily Schofield (PhD) - Temporal Dynamism, Soil Processes and Niche Complementary: Novel Approaches to Understanding Diversity-Function relationships - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with the James Hutton Institute
2020 - Calum Bridson (PhD) - Interactions between Insect Gut Microbiota and the Environment - University of Manchester - BBSRC DTP
2019 - Graeme Fox (PhD) - Developments in Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Ecological Genetics - Manchester Metropolitan University
2019 - Hayley Craig (PhD) - Factors Affecting the Composition, Diversity and Function of Bacterial Communities in Mangrove Soils - University of Manchester - NERC DTP
2017 - Katie Hunter (MPhil) - The Development of Molecular Techniques for the Conservation of Captive Elasmobranchs - University of Manchester
2013 - Richard Sands (MPhil) - Keeping the Bees Buzzing: Improving the Effectiveness of Nectar and Pollen Mixes - University of Manchester

(co-supervisor)

2023 - Xaali O'Reilly-Berkeley (PhD) Community Genetics in Complex Ecological Systems - Manchester Metropolitan University
2022 - Jodies Bates (PhD) - Assessing the Bacterial Zoonotic Risks Associated with the Pet Trade - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with World Animal Protection
2021 - Agnessa Lundy (MRes) - Rhizophora mangle(Red Mangrove) Population Genetic Structure in The Bahamas - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Steven Canty (PhD) - Management of Marine Resources in the Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem - Manchester Metropolitan University
2018 - Oliver Hughes (PhD) - Orchid-Mycorrhiza Relationships, Propagation of Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids from Seed - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with Chester Zoo
2016 - Daniel Lopez (MPhil) - Terrestrial Mammal Communities in Tropical Rainforests of Ecuador - University of Manchester

Introduction to Biological Sciences (BIOL119Z) - Module lead

Ecology Field Course (BIOL219Z) - Module lead

Contemporary Zoo Management (ANIM5006)

Conservation Ecology and Society (ANIM5008)