Dr Mojgan Rabiey

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Crops and trees are attacked by bacterial pathogens, causing huge economic losses. Current control measures for many of these diseases are limited and relatively ineffective. As we are facing a global rise in antibiotic resistance in bacterial plant diseases, there is an urgent need to develop novel measures to control pathogens of important crops. One promising strategy is using naturally occurring bacteriophages for treating plant bacterial diseases. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that, as opposed to antibiotics, only infect specific strains of bacteria, and in lab studies can significantly control bacterial populations.

In my lab we are developing phage therapy to treat bacterial diseases of trees and important crops. We also investigate the evolution of pathogenic bacteria and bacteriophages to understand the genetic mechanism of bacteriophage-bacteria interaction, and how bacteriophages can be utilised as an alternative to antibiotics to control bacterial diseases in plants.

Research Groups

Plant and Agricultural Biosciences

Environment and Ecology

Microbiology and Infectious Disease

Warwick Crop Centre

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, organised, guiding.

Provision of Training

Myself, with the help of my senior research technician, prefer to teach and guide your technical training at first, leading to more independence later.

Progression Monitoring and Management

Weekly meeting (or more often if necessary to begin with) to discuss experimental design, check progress, data analysis and interpretation. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together. I am here for advice and guidance to help you reach the goals you set for yourself.

Communication

I am always available during the week in person and via email. My group has a WhatsApp group chat which we communicate and update each other during the week.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once a fortnight

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once a fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once a fortnight

These meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Development of effective phage cocktails for precise crop protection measures Genomics-driven exploitation of aphid-killing bacteria as a source of novel biopesticides

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Understanding the impact of tree diversification on ecosystem functionality of microbial diversity