Current projects (2020 cohort)

The FoodBioSystems DTP 2020 cohort of researchers are working on 26 projects that span the food system from farm to fork. Read more about the projects and the doctoral researchers in the table below.

 

Project Title	Lead Supervisor	Co-Supervisor	Doctoral Researcher
	Aberystwyth University
A receptor-ligand module that triggers cell death in plants: a killer in disguise	Maurice Bosch	Liam McGuffin University of Reading	Felix Townsend
Deep learning-based phenotyping of crop seed banks and herbaria	John Doonan	Lilian Tang University of Surrey	Kieran Atkins
100 years of plant breeding – what have we done to the seed microbiome?	Kerrie Farrar	Richard Ellis University of Reading	Jack Davies
Repositioning histone modifying enzyme (HME) inhibitors as next-generation flukicides	Karl Hoffmann	Aaron Maule Queen’s University Belfast	Sarah Davey
Identifying beneficial plant-microbial interactions using multi-omic approaches	Martin Swain	Simon Cameron Queen’s University Belfast	Harry Pollitt
	Cranfield University
Reducing seed loss and waste in umbelliferous crops	Sofia Kourmpetli	Luke Bell University of Reading	Heather Wickson
Development of a novel and effective post-harvest decision support system for stored cereals to minimise mould spoilage and mycotoxins in food	Angel Medina-Vaya	Rudolf Krska Queen’s University Belfast	Abimbola Oluwakayode
Evaluating transcriptomic and metabolic adaptations to climate change in Brasicca napus (oilseed rape)	Fady Mohareb	John Hammond University of Reading	Mariam Kourani
Using organic fertilisers to manipulate soil microbiology for improved nutrient bioavailability	Mark Pawlett	Tom Sizmur University of Reading	Christina Van Midden
Biostimulants improve soil and plant conditions to enhance the health-related properties of fresh produce	Jane Rickson	David Rose Cranfield University	Dannielle Roche
Genetics of root vigour in tomato	Andrew Thompson	John Doonan Aberystwyth University	Jamie Newbold
	Queen’s University Belfast
Can many biomarkers make light work of liver fluke parasite diagnostics?	Paul McVeigh	Russ Morphew – Aberystwyth University	Christy Wray
Willow (Salix spp): The potential of a tannin-rich tree fodder to reduce ammonia emissions and improve productivity of dairy cattle	Katerina Theodoridou	Sokratis Stergiadis – University of Reading	Josh Thompson
	University of Reading
A novel approach to reducing multiple-drug resistance in foodborne bacteria: application of CRISPR technology	Simon Andrews	Roberto M. La Ragione University of Surrey	Joss Lazenby
Development of integrated sustainable processes for food waste valorisation	Afroditi Chatzifragkou	Valentina Stojceska Brunel University London	Aikaterini Papadopoulou
Tackling antimicrobial resistance in dairy production: smartphone microfluidics for parallel resistance gene detection alongside functional antibiotic susceptibility testing	Al Edwards	Roberto M. La Ragione University of Surrey	Matt Long
Enhancing the sustainability and improving quality of apple production through ecosystem service management	Michael Garratt	Paul Burgess Cranfield University	Charlotte Howard
The impact of food transmitted endocrine disruptors on animal and human health	Eva Kevei	Lisa Connolly Queen’s University Belfast	Ely Jewett
Diet and Chronic Disease: mechanistic studies on the impact of dietary protein on gut barrier function and the microbiota	Marie Lewis	Denise Robertson University of Surrey	Dan James
Optimising the sensorial and nutritional value of plant-based milk alternatives	Stella Lignou	Ruan Elliott University of Surrey	Roisin McCarron
Investigation into sustainability labelling of food and implications for the consumer and the food industry	Alice Mauchline	Moira Dean Queen’s University Belfast	Vicky Gerrard
Improving nutrition efficiency and milk quality in dairy production	Sokratis Stergiadis	Katerina Theodoridou Queen’s University Belfast	Sabrina Ormston
	University of Surrey
Removing unwanted macro, micro and nanoplastics from fresh produce production	Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh	Carol Wagstaff University of Reading	Hannah Case
Exploring the impact of plant-based diets on iodine intake in the UK population	Sarah Bath	Jayne Woodside Queen’s University Belfast	Katie Nicol
Assessing food-borne risks of Toxocara infection in support of public health and food quality assurance	Martha Betson	Eric Morgan Queen’s University Belfast	Sara Healy