My main research interest is focused on transferring genetic variation for agronomically and scientifically important traits from wild and distantly related species into wheat, and to distribute the germplasm generated world-wide for exploitation in breeding programmes and in scientific research.

My main research interest is focused on transferring genetic variation for agronomically and scientifically important traits from wild and distantly related species into wheat, and to distribute the germplasm generated world-wide for exploitation in breeding programmes and in scientific research. 

I am working on the molecular genotyping tools at the Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research Centre. I am currently working on developing target-specific KASP assays and creating panels of homozygous introgression lines from various wild relative species that can be used in trait analysis studies. My research interests include genomics, genetics and cytogenetics. 

I lead the phenotyping aspects of our work at the BBSRC Nottingham Wheat Research Centre. I am currently working on trait analysis of the germplasm we produce with a focus on heat tolerance from the wheat wild relatives, and on producing introgressions from the wild relative species Aegilops umbellulata. My research interests also include photosynthesis and photoprotection. I lecture on Photosynthesis and biotechnology amongst other things.

I am a senior technical specialist in cytogenetic techniques which include GISH and FISH. My interests include anther and pollen development.

I am a research technician at the Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research Centre growing plants in glasshouses and controlled environment rooms. I also work in the laboratory where we genotype and test samples.

I am a research technician at Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research Centre, my main jobs include genotyping and GISH work in the lab, database analysis and general care and maintenance of the plants and the glasshouses. I have a big interest in genetics and genotyping, being colour blind I have always been fascinated with how genes can influence traits and get passed on through generations.

I am International Wheat Yield Partnership research fellow at the Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research Centre. I recently completed my PhD in plant breeding and genetics. My PhD project focused mainly on winding the genetic diversity of durum wheat through D-genome introgression strategies and also durum wheat improvement to Septoria tritici blotch disease resistance. During my previous work experiences and my PhD research project I gained skills in the field of plant breeding, plant pathology, phenotyping for disease resistance as well as plant cytogenetics and genotyping. Currently, I am working on the phenotyping of the wheat/wild relative’s introgression lines for floret morphology and their potential use for hybrid wheat improvement. 

For her PhD project, Nicola is characterising the gametocidal gene of wheat wild relative Aegilops sharonensis through mutational studies and bioinformatic analysis. Gametocidal genes are selfish elements that ensure their preferential transmission to offspring through chromosomal fragmentation, eliminating the gametes that do not contain the gene. Consequently, they are near-impossible to remove and prevent useful germplasm from Ae. sharonensis being used in breeding programmes. The project aims to develop a method to remove these genes in wheat-wild relative introgression lines. Nicola is passionate about making science accessible for all, and has written two blog posts about the work being done at WRC (links).

https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/futurefood/2023/01/16/diversity-in-wheat-and-the-potential-solutions/

https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/futurefood/2023/01/24/disease-susceptibility-and-genes-in-wheat/

I am a BBSRC DTP funded PhD student at the Wheat Research Centre working on exploring the traits of the wheat wild relative Aegilops umbellulata. My work revolves around wheat and wheat wild relative genetics alongside the use of phenotypic screening platforms to better understand the role that Ae. umbellulata might play in improving our global wheat crops. This means you can usually find me in our glasshouses crossing if I am not away using a new phenotyping platform. Before joining the WRC, I completed an MSci in plant science with a year in computer science here at the University of Nottingham.

Veronica has just completed her PhD (2023) working on genetic biofortification of wheat to breed new high-zinc wheat lines suited for sub-Saharan African environments specifically Ethiopia and Malawi.