Lee Ball

MIBTP PhD Student (2022-2027)

My Research

In my research, I aim to use associative transcriptomics to understand the genetic variation of onions. This means using a novel technique to understand the genetics that underpin important traits, to hopefully aid in the improvement of onions as a crop.

In the face of increasing global food demand, development of new crop varieties that are more resilient, require less input or are resistant to pests and diseases is a key approach to addressing this challenge. Genetic diversity is the key resource from which these desirable traits can be found. The UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) boasts a collection of about 14,000 seed samples across many different vegetable species including carrot, onion and many Brassica oleracea (cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc) varieties.

Several of these important vegetable crop species pose challenges to investigating genetic diversity. Onion in particular has an extremely large genome of 16Gb (with the human genome being 3.1Gb), proving typical genomics-based genetic characterisation difficult. Onions are a key target for improvement; they are a staple crop in many cultures and cuisines, and are one of the most highly produced crops, with over 140 million tons being produced globally in 2022. Recent improvements in sequencing technologies and techniques, such as associative transcriptomics, have made it more feasible to fully investigate the diversity available in the UKVGB's collection of onion seeds. Associative transcriptomics uses RNA rather than DNA, as so greatly reduces the impact of the large genome and focuses on coding regions of the genome.

Originally developed in Brassica napus by Harper et. al in 2012, previous studies have successfully used the associative transcriptomics approach in other crops such as wheat and rice bean. I aim to adapt the approach to investigate the genetic diversity of onion accessions at the UKVGB, potentially mapping desirable traits such as rate of growth and shelf life.

Dr Charlotte Allender - Primary Supervisor

My research is supported by Dr Charlotte AllenderLink opens in a new window and the members of the Genetic Resources Unit (GRU) at Warwick, also known as the UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB)Link opens in a new window.

Dr Allender's research focuses on conservation of crop genetic variation, ecology, and biodiversity.

Dr Graham Teakle - Secondary Supervisor

My research is also supported by Dr Graham TeakleLink opens in a new window, whose research focuses on crop genetics as well as pests and diseases (P&D).

Lee is a white, femme-presenting person with long hair that has long brown roots and a faded green colour. They are wearing a dark green jumper with the word "nature" visible, and a lanyard with a rainbow pattern. The lanyard has several buttons: a blue badge with a smiley face that reads "Warwick Volunteers"; a white badge with a rainbow-coloured liquid in a conical flask that reads "Better Research Culture", a large pin with the progress flag on and a blue badge with a paper ribbon that reads "he/him, they/them". Lee is standing against a backdrop of light-coloured wood and slightly smiling at the camera.

Pronouns: he/him, they/them

Email:

Office: Office 2 (Warwick GRU) or PP1.17 (Prince Philip Building),
University of Warwick Innovation Campus,
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV35 9EF

Research Interests

Crop Genetics
Plant Pathology and Virology
Protein Dynamics
Sustainable Agriculture
Integrated Pest Management
Plant Immunity Signalling
Soil Microbiome
Science Communication!

Education

Master of Biological Sciences (Hons), First Class, University of Warwick (2018-2022)

PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and Food, University of Warwick, MIBTP (2022-2027)

Teaching experience

2024-2025: Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Science Communication module for third-year undergraduate students in the School of Life Sciences. Includes mentoring a small group of students throughout the course and its content, and providing assistance and feedback on student work.

2023: As part of an internship with the Warwick School of Life Sciences Outreach Department, I worked closely with Dr Kevin Moffat and was involved in several teaching activities such as sessions for the Realising Opportunities programme (with Dr Christine Lockey), the May 2023 session of Science on the Hill on microscopy, and the Free Lab Experience Days that the University of Warwick offers.

Non-academic teaching experience and positions of responsibility

2019-present: Warwick Pole and Aerial Arts: Teaching pole dance, aerial hoop and aerial silks to Warwick students as part of a student society. Including society executive positions of Pole Dance Officer (2020-2022), Equipment Officer (2022-2023) and President (2023-2024).

2020-2021: Coronavirus Tutoring Initiative (now Tutor The Nation, Registered Charity: 1192231): Tutoring secondary school students online in 1-2-1 sessions, covering GCSE Maths.

2018-2020: Sexpression UK (Registered Charity: 1166559): Teaching RSHE to secondary school students in the Coventry and Leamingtion Spa area. Including society executive position of Educational Resources Manager at the Warwick branch (2019-2020).

Conference papers/presentations

Nothing yet, but keep an eye out for symposium presentations and posters coming up!

Publications

(Non-academic) Autumn leaves: the mechanisms behind their changing colours. Biological Sciences Review. Volume 37, 2024/25. Issue 1: September 2024. NB: This article was featured on the front page of this issue. Link here. Link opens in a new window

Recent academic awards (scholarships/prizes)

Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) studentship: 2022-2027.