PhD student

Developmental biology of superhydrophilic, directional, antiadhesive plant surfaces

I am intrigued by organisms which seemingly flip the natural order of things, carnivorous plants being a perfect example of this. Since a young age, they have been at the centre of my personal, horticultural, and academic interests. I have grown a broad understanding of carnivorous plant cultivation, ecology, conservation, and development over the years. This has led me to study the structure and function of these enigmatic species during several research projects. Firstly, I worked with Drosera, Sarracenia, and Pinguicula at Cardiff University. I now study the tropical pitcher plant, Nepenthes.

During my time in Cardiff, I undertook a BSc in Biological Sciences and a MSc in Global Ecology and Conservation. Following this, in 2020, I was awarded the Lady Emily Smyth MRes Studentship from the Bristol Centre for Agricultural Innovation and joined the Mechanical Ecology Lab group at the University of Bristol. l. Here, I characterised the development of the unique and highly specialised Nepenthes pitcher trap rim for the first time. During my PhD, based at the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, I have continued this research. I now investigate the molecular control and mechanisms involved in pitcher rim formation. Outside of academia, I am an avid cold-water swimmer, amateur mycologist, scuba diver, and food fanatic.