I hold a BSc in Biology (2019) from Royal Holloway University of London and an MRes in Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation (2020) from UCL, where I explored population genetics in social wasps and herbicide resistance in arable systems. My PhD at Imperial College London focused on understanding the triggers and transmission of brood pathogens and the interactions between pathogens, pesticides, and microbial communities both within honeybee larvae and more broadly in their environment.
Throughout my career, I’ve combined field, lab, and desk-based techniques, which has enabled me to study pollinator health from a range of intriguing perspectives. This has included testing how commensal microbes can shape the health and development of honey bee larvae; exploring what floral traits make a flower more or less conducive to harbouring pathogens; creating a framework allowing researchers to identify floral species especially averse to harboring bee pathogens; and testing how pesticides and pathogens alter the microbiome of bee larvae.
As of 2024, I began my work with Dr. Geraldine Wright on a BBSRC PACE grant, investigating how bumblebees use gustatory cues to navigate floral landscapes. Additionally, my research explores pollinator health and stress to enhance pollination efficiency in crops such as tomatoes. This work is carried out in collaboration with both academic and industrial partners to support sustainable agricultural practices.
