Plant-Parasite/Pathogen Interactions
Biography
I started off at the University of Victoria (Canada) in biochemistry and biology and then moved to KTH (Sweden) for my masters in bioreactors and protein engineering. I did my PhD at the University of Cambridge (UK) in the Department of Zoology on epithelial patterning in Drosophila eggs. My first postdoc was on centrosome migration in Drosophila eggs and my second postdoc was on the genetic basis of parthenogenesis in Drosophila. I am excited to take my knowledge in cell and developmental biology into my new research on the cell molecular biology of plant parasite interactions, specifically on effector biogenesis in nematodes. I am working towards building knowledge of the fundamental biology of pathogenic nematodes in order to gain insight into how we can prevent pathogenic nematode infections.
Previous Positions
2017-2023, Research Associate at the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge
2015-2017, Research Associate at the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge
Qualifications
2015, PhD from the University of Cambridge
2011, MSc from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
2009, BSc from the University of Victoria
Key Publications
'Aneuploidy during development in facultative parthenogenetic Drosophila', (2024), Heredity.
'A genetic basis for facultative parthenogenesis in Drosophila', (2023), Current Biology.
Committees
2019-2020, Member of the Cambridge Fly Club Committee
2016-2018, Member of the Genetics Seminar Series Committee
2015-2016, Member of the Department of Genetics Postdoc Committee
2013-2014, Graduate Representative for the Department of Zoology
2013-2014, Member of the Computing Committee
2011-2012, Member of the Gurdon Institute Environment Committee
Outreach & Public Engagement
2024, Invited parthenogenesis expert for BBC Radio World Service’s Unexpected Elements
2023, Media interviews for ‘Virgin Birth’ paper, including but not limited to: BBC Look East, CNN, National Geographic and The New York Post
2023, Guest on the youtube channel/podcast Honest Discussions by Dr. Randen Patterson
2020, Invited talk for the Oxford Student Biological Society
2019, Interview for Cambridge Women in STEM
2018, Interview with CABD gender equality group
Media & Press
'Why it matters that scientists modified a ‘sexual’ fruit fly to be asexual', (2024), The Hindu.
'No males? No problem! Scientists induce virgin births in fruit flies', (2023), The Guardian.
'‘Virgin birth’ genetically engineered into female animals for the first time', (2023), Nature News.