I am a plant molecular biologist whose main research interests include the role of photosynthesis as a sensor of environmental cues, as-well-as the use of synthetic biology to engineer improvements in photosynthetic efficiency to increase crop yields.
I have a background in plant responses to abiotic stress, particularly those involving antioxidant defences. I have worked on several research projects focused on characterising retrograde signalling mechanisms, both during chloroplast development (biogenic control) and in mature plants (operational control). I am currently working on a synthetic biology project which aims to increase the photosynthetic efficiency of rice, the world’s most important crop. By engineering the cyanobacterial carbon dioxide concentrating mechanism into rice chloroplasts, I hope to improve rice yields in a sustainable manner. I believe synthetic biology will play a major role in shaping the future of crop production.
