Our People

Dr Charlotte Allender is a plant geneticist who runs the Vegetable Gene Bank. Charlotte is active within national and international networks such as the European Co-operative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources as the Chair of the Umbellifer Crops Working Group, as well as having membership of other crop working groups. She is also Deputy Chair of the UK Plant Genetic Resources Group, a group which provides technical and policy advice to Defra

charlotte.allender@warwick.ac.uk

Dr David Chandler is agricultural entomologist who uses applied research to improve crop production for farmers and growers. Alongside his research, David co-founded Warwick Agri-Tech, a joint initiative with WMG and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult where he is working to de-risk innovation for agri-technology developers, farmers and growers.

Dave.Chandler@warwick.ac.uk

Dr Lauren Chappell is a plant pathologist and is currently working on the VeGIN project. The interactive network between industry and academia aims to identify novel genetics linked to key improvement traits, such as resistance to pest and disease, for sustainable production of the UK’s four key vegetable crops: carrot, onion, lettuce and vegetable brassicas.

Lauren.Chappell@warwick.ac.uk

Professor John Clarkson's research focuses on plant diseases that have a major impact on the supply and quality of fresh produce while also threatening the livelihoods of farmers.

John has research projects funded by the government, research councils, and industry looking at fungi such as Fusarium, Sclerotinia, and Pythian spp.

John.Clarkson@warwick.ac.uk

Professor Rosemary Collier is an applied entomologist whose interests lie in the interactions between food production and the natural environment. Focusing on the management of pest insects in horticultural crops with approaches that minimise the impact on other non-target species. This may be through biological or physical approaches, or through host plant resistance, an area where she collaborates with colleagues at Warwick VeGIN (warwick.ac.uk).  

Rosemary.Collier@warwick.ac.uk

Professor Murray Grant is a biochemist focusing his research on pathogenic and beneficial plant microbe interactions using multidisciplinary research methods.

He is involved with the Elizabeth Creek Trust, where he chairs Food Security and has established the Elizabeth Creek Horticultural Technology Centre which is dedicated towards the genetic improvement of British horticultural crops, patricularly in improving resilience under changing climatic conditions.

M.Grant@warwick.ac.uk

Professor Eric Holub is a geneticist and a fellow of Warwick Institute of Engagement. He applies his experience to genetic improvement of food crops and public access to affordable food diversity. Recently, he has been selecting Meso-american crops for UK production including common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos and herbs.

Eric.Holub@warwick.ac.uk

Professor Robert Lillywhite specialises in both impact of agriculture and heathcare on our environment. Robert uses environmental accounting techniques (life cycle assessment, carbon footprinting, mass balances) to examine the hotspots, trade-offs and impacts that occur within systems in order to identify reduction strategies.

Robert.Lillywhite@warwick.ac.uk

Professor Richard Napier is a biochemist with a focus on the plant hormone auxin, looking into how and why different members of the receptor family show preferences for different auxins. This is important in agriculture because synthetic auxins are vitally important selective herbicides.

Richard also dedicates his time to policy work, bridging the gap between grower communities and industry, promoting the growth of the British fresh produce sector.

Richard.Napier@warwick.ac.uk

Dr Stephen Parnell is a plant disease epidemiologist and modeller based at both Warwick Crop Centre and the Zeeman Institue for infectious disease epidemiology.

He develops mathematical and computer models of how these pests and diseases spread through plant populations and use the models to test out strategies to detect and control them.

stephen.parnell@warwick.ac.uk

Dr Jacqueline Stroud is a soil scientist with a particular interest in earthworm biology and ecology. She is now developing a bioacoustic monitoring system with her team.

Jacqueline.stroud@warwick.ac.uk

Dr Graham Teakle is a geneticist focusing his research on crop trait genetics and plant-pest/pathogen interactions with the ultimate goal of delivering to sustainable crop production and reduced crop losses. He focuses on brassicas, notably oilseed rape, lettuce, onions, and carrots.

Graham runs OREGIN- Oilseed Rape Genetic Improvement Network.

Graham.Teakle@warwick.ac.uk