CV

Skills and expertise

Computational
Bioinformatics, genome assembly and annotation, comparative genomics, phylogen*ics, data visualisation
Programming languages - proficient in R and bash, experience with Python and git
Biological
Fungal biology, microbial ecology, molecular systematics

Research experience

Research scientist, The Earlham Institute
As part of the BBSRC cross-institute Delivering Sustainable Wheat initiative, I’m currently using comparative and pangenomics methods to explore questions around fungal lifestyles; genetic determinants of virulence; and wild vs domestic hosts in Gaeumannomyces and other fungi associated with roots of wheat and wild grass relatives. 		Jan 2023 –
PhD Biological Sciences, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Queen Mary University of London (London NERC DTP)
'Using collections to explore the evolution of plant-associated lifestyles in the Ascomycota' (click to view thesis) 		Sep 2018 – Dec 2022
Data and analysis intern – Plant Health Evidence and Analysis Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Following user-centred design principles, I designed and built two R Shiny dashboard apps: one to analyse and visualise plant import data to inform governmental policies on biosecurity and tree planting; and the second to calculate and report the risk associated with import pathways using data from the pest risk register. 		Apr 2022 – Jun 2022
Research assistant – Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
I led molecular lab work and data analysis for a project entitled 'Exploring endophyte diversity in MSB seeds' (see my publications) and assisted fieldwork collecting fungi for a project entitled ‘Diversity of the ‘forgotten Kingdom’ in Boyacá, Colombia’. 		Feb 2017 – Aug 2018
BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Placement, First Class Honours, The University of Exeter
+ the College Commendation and the Dean's Commendation. 		Sep 2012 – Jun 2016
Sandwich course student – Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
I undertook a research project investigating the evolution of a lesser-known group of parasitic fungi. 		Sep 2014 – Aug 2015