Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences
Uncovering the amazing world of microbial life that has been hidden, literally under our feet, is exciting. I’m learning a great deal about how these microbial systems work and using this knowledge to develop nature-based technologies to make our food production systems climate resilient.
I studied for my BSc and MSc degrees at the University of Zimbabwe and PhD degree at the University of Cambridge. I joined Durham University as a Post-Doc in the group of Prof Toni Slabas, where I then obtained a five-year Research Fellowship to build my independent research. My research seeks to (i) understand how plants and microbes adapt to stress, and (ii) translate the results into useful agritech and biotech innovations.
Soil sustains life and is the ultimate source of all elemental materials used to build our modern infrastructure, gadgets and equipment in homes, cities and all industrial sectors. However, very little is known about microbes that inhabit the soil.
We discovered the molecular link between soil microbes and the ability of naturally drought-tolerant crops to thrive under water scarcity. We are applying these findings in partnership with colleagues in African plant breeding centres to screen for crop varieties with heightened sensitivity to stimulation by soil microbes.
We are also engaging with farmers to implement soil management measures that promote greater soil health. In combination, this will improve crop yields in smallholder rain-fed farming systems, which are particularly vulnerable to droughts.
Learn how the SMART Soils Lab develops innovative solutions for healthier soils, supporting sustainable land management and changing how we value this vital resource.
Meet more of the experts at the SMART Soils Lab, leading the way in innovative soil and plant restoration techniques to promote healthier ecosystems and sustainable land management.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/90535-(1).jpg)