University of Exeter

I am a bioinformatician with an interest in plant pathology and protection/improvement of crops.

I am a bioinformatician with an interest in plant pathology and protection/improvement of crops.

Lecturer in Physics at the University of Exeter (UK)

I'm a biogeochemist. Through my research, I try to increase understanding of how plants and soil respond to and influence environmental change. I have studied carbon and nutrient cycles in a wide range of ecosystems, including grasslands, cropland, temperate forests and rice paddies. I often use meta-analytic techniques to synthesize findings in my field of research. I also study the role of soil microbes in carbon and nitrogen cycles, using techniques such as incubation experiments, isotopic tracers and analyses of biomarkers.

Broadly, I am interested in how aspects of social behavior evolved and are maintained in animal groups, and the implications of this for social species' conservation and management.

I am currently working as a post-doc on a project investigating the evolution of cooperative behaviour in animal societies which is using the University of Exeter's Banded Mongoose Research Project as its study system.

Current research interests

My main interest in research is the biomechanical characterization of soft tissue. It is a fascinating field since it couples experimental engineering and medical issues. In particular, I specialize on the development and application of novel techniques to investigate soft tissue mechanical properties. For instance, during my PhD I worked on a technique based on quantitative ultrasound to non-invasively measure the force applied to superficial tendons, as well as their elastic modulus. More recently, I worked with ultrasound elastography to non-invasively assess intervertebral disc properties. Currently, I am applying nonlinear microscopy techniques to investigate needle injury to the intervertebral disc.

My research interests are in the understanding the intimate relations between coevolving host and microorganisms. I work on invertebrate models across different types of interactions, from mutualism (mitochondria-host cell interaction) to parasitism (fungal and viral pathogens), using experimental approaches and next-gen sequencing tools.