The Crop Science Centre

🌿 Join Our Research Group at The Crop Science Centre, University of Cambridge!🌿 Are you passionate about crop science, plant genetics, and global food security? Do you want to make a real impact by developing resilient and high-quality food crops for smallholder farmers? I am looking for PhD, MSc, and summer students to join my group at the Crop Science Centre, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. Our research focuses on: ✅ Identifying genetic variants that enhance drought tolerance and plant adaptation to environmental stresses. ✅ Improving the culinary and nutritional quality of staple food crops. See more: https://lnkd.in/eXEXgaDc 🔎 Who We’re Looking For: We welcome motivated students with backgrounds in agronomy, molecular plant genetics, plant physiology, or related fields. A deep curiosity and commitment to tackling agricultural challenges are key! 🌍 Supporting African Talent: I am especially keen to mentoring talented students from Sub-Saharan Africa who want to work on research projects that address challenges facing smallholder farmers in Africa. 📚 Funding & Scholarships: Please note that students will have to seek scholarships and funding. ✅ Students can explore University of Cambridge funding opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/e9Vet3T4 ✅Apply for the MPhil in Crop Science at the Crop Science Centre. Students from Sub-Saharan Africa can apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Please prepare in advance and look out for the calls in September 2025. #ResearchOpportunities #PhD #MSc #CropScience #DroughtTolerance #PlantGenetics #FoodSecurity

The Crop Science Centre is pleased to announce that Thiago Alexandre Moraes has been honored with the "2024 Outstanding Graduate" Award from the School of Technology (FT) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) (https://www.ft.unicamp.br/) in Brazil, his esteemed alma mater. In addition, Thiago has been appointed as Associate Editor for the Plant Physiology section of the Brazilian Journal of Botany (https://lnkd.in/eKtH2yam), further demonstrating his expertise and commitment to advancing research in the field. Congratulations, Thiago, on these well-deserved recognitions! The Crop Science Centre Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Exciting progress in our research on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genetic diversity in Somalia from Dr. Ahmed Warsame! During his recent visit to Mogadishu, Ahmed initiated a community-based germplasm collection across Somalia to assess how over 30 years of civil war, droughts, and foreign seed aid have impacted cowpea diversity. Seeds were successfully gathered from 28 locations in the cowpea belt showing promising diversity in seed characteristics. Ahmed met with key stakeholders from Somalia's Ministry of Agriculture and local universities to discuss the importance of cowpea research, establishing future collaborations, and exploring experimental plots. This type of research and upcoming collaboration are pivotal in enhancing Somalia's agricultural resilience and ensuring sustainable cowpea production in the face of ongoing challenges. The Crop Science Centre Department of Plant Sciences University of Cambridge

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼! 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯. The deadline for our 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 is 9th February. Call is open to University of Cambridge, University of Lincoln and University of East Anglia researchers. Even if you haven't applied your tech to agriculture yet, we can help you shape a project in this space. See details below and download an EOI submission form from our website to submit. Cambridge Enterprise, Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge University of Cambridge, The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, University of Lincoln, Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, The Crop Science Centre, Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU), University of Cambridge Department of Computer Science and Technology, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics: AgriFoRwArdS Louise Sutherland, Simon Pearson, Faye Outram, Catherine Eyre, Emma Garfield, Polly White, Joita Dey, Fumiya Iida, Fulvio Forni, Declan Weldon,

Dr Victor Souza, from the Crop Science Centre’s Plant-Parasite Interactions group, recently coordinated a special editorial for Frontiers in Plant Sciences on sustainable strategies for managing plant-parasitic nematodes. Alongside researchers from The James Hutton Institute, the University of São Paulo, and AgroNema, he brought together ten papers exploring innovative approaches beyond chemical control, including bio-based solutions, plant growth-promoting bacteria, and advanced genetic techniques. Now available as an e-book, this collection highlights the critical role of integrated pest management in securing global food production. Read the full editorial here: https://lnkd.in/djfDknM2

Exciting News from The Crop Science Centre! We are pleased to announce that Sebastian Eves-van den Akker has been appointed Professor of Biotic Interactions. Sebastian, heads the Plant-Parasite Interactions group at The Crop Science Centre, exploring the molecular communication between plants and parasites using genomics and molecular biology. Julian Hibberd, Head of the Department of Plant Sciences, added, “Sebastian’s appointment is a well-deserved recognition of his dedication to research, teaching, and leadership.” The Crop Science Centre Department of Plant Sciences

Congratulations to Prof. Giles Oldroyd on being awarded the Distinguished Scientist accolade under the Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative (#PIFI)! This prestigious recognition highlights the groundbreaking contributions Prof. Oldroyd and his team have made throughout the years in advancing our understanding of symbiotic plant-microbe interactions which ultimately can transform food systems for a more sustainable future. Well-deserved Giles and a huge thank you for your continued dedication to innovation and scientific excellence!  The Crop Science Centre ENSA Department of Plant Sciences University of Cambridge