Professional activities

Conference Roles

Biology in the Real World at The Association for Science Education Annual Conference, Keynote/Plenary by Invitation (Liverpool, UK, 2018)
iGRAD-PLANT invited seminar speaker - Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany, Keynote/Plenary by Invitation (Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany, 2022)
C4 and CAM plant biology at Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXVIII, by Invitation (San Diego, California, USA, 2020)
Functional Genomics: modelling CAM from genes to biome at Biology of CAM plants, by Invitation (Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 2018)
Plant Science Research Group Invited Seminar, University of Glasgow, Keynote/Plenary by Invitation (Plant Science Research Group, Institute for Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, UK, 2017)
C4 and CAM at The 17th International Congress on Photosynthesis Research: Photosynthesis in a Changing World, by Invitation (Maastricht, The Netherlands, 2016)
Using de novo 'omics to elucidate the basis for a complex photosynthetic adaptation, by Invitation (Invited speaker at the Department of Biology, University of York, 2015)
Using de novo 'omics to elucidate the basis for a complex photosynthetic adaptation , by Invitation (Invited speaker at the Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, 2014)
Genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic adventures with CAM, Keynote/Plenary by Invitation (Invited speaker at the 34th New Phytologist Symposium, Lake Tahoe, California, USA , 2014)
Engineering water-use efficiency in plants: functional genomics to synthetic biology in bioenergy feedstocks, by Invitation (Department of Molecular Sciences/ Renewable Energy Centre, University of Nevada-Reno, USA, 2014)
Emerging model genomes for functional genomics of CAM: Kalanchoë genomes and beyond, by Invitation (Invited speaker at the International Plant and Animal Genome XXII Conference 2014, San Diego, USA, 2014)
From transcriptomes to genomes and beyond: adding function to de novo genomics data, by Invitation (Invited speaker at the Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, 2013)
The draft genome of Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi: a model for CAM, by Invitation (Invited speaker at the C4+CAM Plant Biology 2013 International conference, 2013)
The draft genome of Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi: a model for CAM, by Invitation (16th International Congress on Photosynthesis, August 2013, 2013)
The draft genome of Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi, by Invitation (Invitation to speak at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, USA, 2012)
de novo decoding of genomes and transcriptomes to elucidate the functional genomics of complex trait, by Invitation (Joint Liverpool-UNICAMP workshop on 'omics, Campinas, Brazil Oct. 2012, 2012)
The draft genome of Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi: a transformable model system for CAM, Keynote/Plenary by Invitation (Botanikertagung: International Botanical Congress of the Berlin Botanical Society, 2011)
Functional and comparative genomics of Crassulacean acid metabolism, by Invitation (Invited speaker at the Department of Botany, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2011)
Using RNA-seq to dissect the molecular basis for the circadian optimisation of CAM, by Invitation (International Botanical Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 2011)
How do CAM plants fix carbon whilst avoiding drought: using RNA-seq to decipher the molecular basis, by Invitation (Invitations to speak at the SEB annual meeting Carbon and Drought sessions, 2010)
Kalanchoe genomic resources, by Invitation (CAM 2010: workshop on Crassulacean acid metabolism, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama, 2010)
Crassulacean acid metabolism plants for biofuel from marginal lands, by Invitation (Keystone Symposium "The Future of Biofuels" - Snowbird, Utah, USA, 2009)
Using RNA-seq to decipher the genomic basis for a complex metabolic adaptation of photosynthesis , by Invitation (Invited seminar University of Nevada-Reno, USA, 2009)
The application of next-generation sequencing to gene discovery in non-model plants, by Invitation (NESCENT Catalysis meeting, Duke University, USA, 2009)
The application of next generation sequencing to understanding the novel biology of non-model plants, by Invitation (Invited seminar, Dept. of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK, 2009)
Using RNA-seq to decipher the genomic basis for a complex metabolic adaptation of photosynthesis , by Invitation (Invited seminar Boyce Thompson Research Institute, Cornell University, USA, 2009)
Molecular dissection of the circadian coordination of Crassulacean acid metabolism using ultra high-, by Invitation (Conference chair and vice-chair, 2008)
The merits of adopting Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi as a genomic and transgenic model for CAM research, by Invitation (Conference organising committee, 2007)
The coordination of central plant metabolism by the circadian clock, by Invitation (Biochemical Society, 2005)
Molecular dissection of the CAM circadian clock, by Invitation (International Photosynthesis Society, 2004)
Molecular dissection of the CAM circadian clock, by Invitation (CAM 2004 organizing committee, 2004)
Does the underlying circadian oscillator which controls the daily CAM cycle have a molecular basis i, by Invitation (SEB, 2002)
The circadian clock and Crassulacean acid metabolism in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, by Invitation (CAM 2001 organizing committee, 2001)

Examination Roles

University of Glasgow, Discovery and characterisation of novel phototropin kinase substrates (PhD, 2022)
University of Essex, Exploring variation in water use efficiency in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) among wild and circadian mutant varieties, and its impact on responses to drought (PhD, 2019)
University of Sheffield, Genetic and Environmental Enablers of the Evolution of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in Submerged Aquatic Plants (PhD, 2018)
University of Cambridge, The regulation of gene expression in bundle sheath cells of C3 and C4 plants (PhD, 2017)
University of Manchester, Dynamic acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana to the environment (PhD, 2015)
University of Cambridge, Understanding C4 leaf development using closely related C3 and C4 species (PhD, 2015)
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, PhD (2006)

Organisations I have been associated with

The Prince's Teaching Institute - The Wellcome Collection, London - Secondary School Science Teacher CPD event on "Energy, Photosynthesis and Respiration" (2015)
The Prince's Teaching Institute/ Altrincham Girls' Grammar School - Subject day on photosynthesis for newly and recently qualified biology A-level teachers (2014)
Ness Botanic Gardens - International Fascination of Plants Day (2012)
Cardinal Newman College - outreach presentation to A-level students studying biology and geography (2011)
Hilbre High School, West Kirby, Wirral (2009)
British Science Association (2008)
School of Biological Sciences Christmas Lectures (2008 - 2018)

Professional Body Memberships

International Society of Photosynthesis Research (Individual Member, 2013 - 2014)
Botanical Society of the British Isles (Individual Member, 1989 - 2014)

Other Administrative or Committee Roles

Research theme champion - represent the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences for the Sustainable Energy Research Theme
Research network champion - Food Security Network
Plant Sciences Research Group leader