Evolution in microbial communities
about the lab
We are a lab interested interactions within the microbiome. We have 2 major themes:
Evolutionary interactions between bacteria and the mobile genetic elements that infect them. Elements such as plasmids and phages play key roles in these communities; acting not only as agents of horizontal gene transfer by carrying with them bacterial genes when they move between hosts, but also as parasites as they exploit their bacterial hosts for their own replication. We are interested in how co-evolution shapes these interactions and how they, in turn, impact the wider community.
Rhizobia-legume symbiosis and its role in sustainable agriculture. Rhizobia are bacteria that form beneficial infections in (mostly) legume plant roots, where they fix atmospheric nitrogen in exchange for room and board. This relationship means that legumes can be grown without nitrogen fertilizer (a major source of green house gases) and make lovely protein rich food that we need to be eating more and more of as we reduce meat in our diets. We are interested in how rhizobia are used in agriculture and how they might be improved.
I also love making graphics for publications and beyond so I’m starting a little collection here.
news
The latest in a series of articles examining the challenges faced by minoritised groups in academia. This article explores the lived experiences of 3 fantastic female academics of colour and how different the challenges they face are. 06.01.23
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/intersectionality-only-way-nurture-academics-colour
Tackling the gender health gap in academia. The final part in our series of articles exploring the challenges of women in science. Here we highlight the health challenges experienced by women and the burden of shame and stigma that force women to suffer in silence. How can they be mitigated? read on to find out! 04.10.22
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/breaking-barriers-women-closing-gender-health-gap-academia
Enough of the talk! No. 2 in our series about inequality in academia. So many actions feel like they are designed to be more preformative than effectual. Can can we turn that talk into action!! 02.09.22
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/breaking-barriers-women-enough-talking-time-action
Why is parental leave so damn hard in academia and how can we make it better? What started as a rant between friends developed into one of the best experiences of collective writing I have ever had to produce a positive roadmap for supporting new parents, especially mothers. 26.05.22
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/breaking-barriers-women-how-build-effective-parental-leave
Welcome to Charly Pain, who is starting her PhD just a week before I head of on maternity leave. Sorry Charly! She will be looking at the impact that bacteria phage coevolution in the soil has on rhizobial symbiosis. She is working with me, Ville Friman (York) and Alex Best (Sheffield) and will be combining both maths and experiments! 01.10.2021
Science in a time of corona virus - after a juddering start we are now all safely set up in our respective homes. Experiments have been frozen down - or just binned (weep) - and now we’re dealing with all the uncertainty and anxiety. But all are healthy and gainfully employed so we’re pretty lucky despite all that. 29.03.20
