Dr Robin Sen

Why do I teach?

I teach at Undergraduate and postgraduate levels the following subjects: Environmental Microbiology, Plant microbiology, Soil microbial ecology, Mycology, Mycorrhizal ecophysiology, Sustainable agriculture and forestry

How I’ll teach you

Blended learning involving Lectures, Workshops (e.g. Bioinformatics), Fieldwork, Laboratory practicals and BSc (Hons) and Masters (M.Sc and M.Res) project supervision. 

Academic and professional qualifications

Education

• 1982 BSc (Hons) Applied Biology. North East London Polytechnic, Stratford.
• 1992 Ph.D. General Microbiology. University of Helsinki, Finland.
• 2009 Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice, (PG Cert AP) Manchester Metropolitan University.

Awards

• Docentship in General Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Finland (1997-) 
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2009-)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2016-)

Biography

My scientific career began at Rothamsted Experimental Station (now Rothamsted Research) in 1978 working with pioneers in soil microbial ecology and plant growth promoting root symbiotic mycorrhizal ecophysiology of crops. From 1987 to 2003, I worked at the University of Helsinki, Finland gaining a Ph.D and Docentship in forest soil microbiology. I went on to establish a forest microbiology research group at the Viikki Biocentre and was later awarded a 5-year Senior Research Fellowship (Academy of Finland). Between 2004-2005, I worked at the Macaulay Institute (now James Hutton Institute), Aberdeen as a Senior Scientist on forest soil food-web microbiology before taking up a Senior lectureship at MMU. I contributed to the successful RAE2008 submission, became a Reader in 2012 and was submitted to REF2014. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2016.

Previous employment

1978-1986: Scientific Officer, Department of Soil Microbiology, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden.
1987-1990: Researcher, Department of Botany, University of Helsinki, Finland.
1990-1993: Researcher, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa, Finland.
1993-2003: Post Doctoral Researcher/Senior Fellow of the Academy of Finland, Division of General Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
2004-2005: Senior Scientist, Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen.

Other academic service (administration and management)

• School of Science and Environment RKE strategy board member (2015-)
• Programme Leader Foundation and Combined Honours Geography (2008-2014)
• School Plant & Soil Health Licence (DEFRA/APHA) Officer (2008-)
• Divisional Health & Safety Officer (2015-)
• School ECR Mentor (2013-)

Languages

English and Finnish

Research expertise

For details of published research, consult my ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robin_Sen

Current Ph.D supervision

• Mario Toubes-Rodrigo M.Sc.: Geo-microbiology of the glacial basal ice-sediment interface. Dr. Simon Cook (DOS), Co-Supervisors: Dr. Robin Sen and Dr. David Elliott (Funding: 2014-2017, MMU RKE and Royal Geographical Society, Manchester Geographical Society).
• Vanessa Hulm M.Sc.: Genetic diversity of MHC loci in European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and relations with the bacteriome and environmental drivers. Dr. Jonathan Ellis (DOS) (Plymouth University), Dr. Ed Harris (MMU), Dr Robin Sen, Dr. Martin Jones (University of East Anglia), Dr. Richard Cove (Natural Resources Wales) and Dr. Steven Weiss (External Advisor). (Funding: 2014-2016 MMU RKE Studentship an Grayling Research Trust).
• Carena Bell BSc (Hons).: Plant-Microbe-soil Fuel Cell and electrode optimisation for sustainable enegry generation. Dr Patricia Linton (DOS). Co-supervisors: Prof. Craig Banks and Dr. Robin Sen (Funding 2016-2018 MMU Faculty award).

Group Projects

• Microbial biodiverity and functionung in biological crusts Robin Sen (PI), Dr David Elliott (PDRA), Prof. Steve Hoon and Dr. Andrew Thomas (Aberystwyth University) (2013-2016) (Funding MMU Faculty award).
• Saltmarsh restoration impacts on soil microbiomics at the Steart Peninsula. Dr. Hannah Mosseman (PI) and Co-Is Dr. Robin Sen and Dr. David Elliott (2014-2015) (Funding MMU SIA award).
• Sustainable low-input nursery production and out-planting success and soil mycobiome assessments of Scots pine in a red band needle blight diseased clear-cut. Dr. Robin Sen, Co-Is Mr Alex Steepe and Mr. Vernon Stockton (Forestry Commission, Delamere) (2011-2016, Funding: MMU SIA and Forestry Commision, Delamere).

Publications

• Featured Works

  MA. Vázquez, R. Sen, M. Soto (2015). Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of compost from decentralised composting programmes. Bioresour Technol. 198, pp.520-532.

  DR. Elliott, AD. Thomas, SR. Hoon, R. Sen (2014). Niche partitioning of bacterial communities in biological crusts and soils under grasses, shrubs and trees in the Kalahari. Biodiversity and Conservation. 23(7), pp.1709-1733.

  SD. Veresoglou, LJ. Shaw, JE. Hooker, R. Sen (2012). Arbuscular mycorrhizal modulation of diazotrophic and denitrifying microbial communities in the (mycor)rhizosphere of Plantago lanceolata. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 53, pp.78-81.

  SD. Veresoglou, R. Sen, AP. Mamolos, DS. Veresoglou (2011). Plant species identity and arbuscular mycorrhizal status modulate potential nitrification rates in nitrogen-limited grassland soils. Journal of Ecology. 99(6), pp.1339-1349.

  CM. HEPPER, C. AZCON-AGUILAR, S. ROSENDAHL, R. SEN (1988). Competition between three species of Glomus used as spatially separated introduced and indigenous mycorrhizal inocula for leek (Allium porrum L.). New Phytologist. 110(2), pp.207-215.

  CM. Hepper, R. Sen, C. Azcon-Aguilar, C. Grace (1988). Variation in certain isozymes amongst different geographical isolates of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus clarum, Glomus monosporum and Glomus mosseae. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 20(1), pp.51-59.

• Books (authored/edited/special issues)

  R. Sen (1992). Isozyme analysis of mycorrhizal fungi and their mycorrhiza in identification, population biology and competition studies. Ph.D Thesis. Nurmijarvi, Finland: NurmiPrint OY,.

• Journal articles

  J. Vanessa Huml, MI. Taylor, W. Edwin Harris, R. Sen, JS. Ellis (2018). Neutral variation does not predict immunogenetic variation in the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus)-implications for management. Mol Ecol. 27(21), pp.4157-4173.

  FQ. Brearley, DR. Elliott, A. Iribar, R. Sen (2016). Arbuscular mycorrhizal community structure on co-existing tropical legume trees in French Guiana. Plant and Soil. 403(1-2), pp.253-265.

  MA. Vázquez, R. Sen, M. Soto (2015). Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of compost from decentralised composting programmes. Bioresour Technol. 198, pp.520-532.

  DR. Elliott, AD. Thomas, SR. Hoon, R. Sen (2014). Niche partitioning of bacterial communities in biological crusts and soils under grasses, shrubs and trees in the Kalahari. Biodiversity and Conservation. 23(7), pp.1709-1733.

  SD. Veresoglou, LJ. Shaw, JE. Hooker, R. Sen (2012). Arbuscular mycorrhizal modulation of diazotrophic and denitrifying microbial communities in the (mycor)rhizosphere of Plantago lanceolata. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 53, pp.78-81.

  SD. Veresoglou, R. Sen, AP. Mamolos, DS. Veresoglou (2011). Plant species identity and arbuscular mycorrhizal status modulate potential nitrification rates in nitrogen-limited grassland soils. Journal of Ecology. 99(6), pp.1339-1349.

  SD. Veresoglou, AP. Mamolos, B. Thornton, OK. Voulgari, R. Sen, et al. DS. Veresoglou. (2011). Medium-term fertilization of grassland plant communities masks plant species-linked effects on soil microbial community structure. Plant and Soil. 344(1), pp.187-196.

  SD. Veresoglou, LJ. Shaw, R. Sen (2011). Glomus intraradices and Gigaspora margarita arbuscular mycorrhizal associations differentially affect nitrogen and potassium nutrition of Plantago lanceolata in a low fertility dune soil. Plant and Soil. 340(1), pp.481-490.

  SD. Veresoglou, OK. Voulgari, R. Sen, AP. Mamolos, DS. Veresoglou (2011). Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on soil pH-Plant productivity relationships in upland Grasslands of Northern Greece. Pedosphere. 21(6), pp.750-752.

  ES. Oddsdottir, C. Nielsen, R. Sen, S. Harding, J. Eilenberg, et al. G. Halldorsson. (2010). Distribution patterns of soil entomopathogenic and birch symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi across native woodland and degraded habitats in Iceland. Icelandic Agricultural Sciences. 23(1), pp.37-49.

  ES. Oddsdottir, J. Eilenberg, R. Sen, G. Halldorsson (2010). The effects of insect pathogenic soil fungi and ectomycorrhizal inoculation of birch seedlings on the survival of Otiorhynchus larvae. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 12(3), pp.319-324.

  ES. Oddsdottir, J. Eilenberg, R. Sen, S. Harding, G. Halldorsson (2010). Early reduction of Otiorhynchus spp. larval root herbivory on Betula pubescens by beneficial soil fungi. Applied Soil Ecology. 45(3), pp.168-174.

  R. Sen (2010). Gopi Krishna Podila In memoriam. MYCORRHIZA. 20(5), pp.361-363.

  K. Abarenkov, R. Henrik Nilsson, K-H. Larsson, IJ. Alexander, U. Eberhardt, et al. S. Erland, K. Høiland, R. Kjøller, E. Larsson, T. Pennanen, R. Sen, AFS. Taylor, L. Tedersoo, BM. Ursing, T. Vrålstad, K. Liimatainen, U. Peintner, U. Kõljalg. (2010). The UNITE database for molecular identification of fungi--recent updates and future perspectives. New Phytol. 186(2), pp.281-285.

  R. Sen (2010). Gopi Krishna Podila IN MEMORIAM. JOURNAL OF PLANT INTERACTIONS. 5(2), pp.159-162.

  R. Cullen, M. Langan, R. Sen (2009). Using learner response systems for ecological fieldwork. Centre for Bioscience Bulletin. 26(26), pp.6-7.

  J. Heinonsalo, R. Sen (2007). Scots pine ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculum potential and dynamics in podzol-specific humus, eluvial and illuvial horizons one and four growth seasons after forest clear-cut logging. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 37(2), pp.404-414.

  J. Heinonsalo, I. Koskiahde, R. Sen (2007). Scots pine bait seedling performance and root colonizing ectomycorrhizal fungal community dynamics before and during the 4 years after forest clear-cut logging. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 37(2), pp.415-429.

  G. Kaparakis, R. Sen (2006). Binucleate Rhizoctonia (Ceratorhiza spp.) induce adventitious root formation in hypocotyl cuttings of Pinus sylvestris L. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 21(6), pp.444-449.

  H. Grönberg, G. Kaparakis, R. Sen (2006). Binucleate Rhizoctonia (Ceratorhiza spp.) as non-mycorrhizal endophytes alter Pinus sylvestris L. seedling root architecture and affect growth of rooted cuttings. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 21(6), pp.450-457.

  R. Sen (2005). Towards a multifunctional rhizosphere concept: back to the future?. New Phytol. 168(2), pp.266-268.

  U. Kõljalg, K-H. Larsson, K. Abarenkov, RH. Nilsson, IJ. Alexander, et al. U. Eberhardt, S. Erland, K. Høiland, R. Kjøller, E. Larsson, T. Pennanen, R. Sen, AFS. Taylor, L. Tedersoo, T. Vrålstad, BM. Ursing. (2005). UNITE: a database providing web-based methods for the molecular identification of ectomycorrhizal fungi. New Phytol. 166(3), pp.1063-1068.

  M. Moora, M. Öpik, R. Sen, M. Zobel (2004). Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities differentially influence the seedling performance of rare and common Pulsatilla species. Functional Ecology. 18(4), pp.554-562.

  E. Hoffland, TW. Kuyper, H. Wallander, C. Plassard, AA. Gorbushina, et al. K. Haselwandter, S. Holmström, R. Landeweert, US. Lundström, A. Rosling, R. Sen, MM. Smits, PAW. van Hees, N. van Breemen. (2004). The role of fungi in weathering. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 2(5), pp.258-264.

  J. Heinonsalo, K-R. Hurme, R. Sen (2004). Recent 14C-labelled assimilate allocation to Scots pine seedling root and mycorrhizosphere compartments developed on reconstructed podzol humus, E- and B- mineral horizons. Plant and Soil. 259(1-2), pp.111-121.

  JT. Juuti, S. Jokela, L. Paulin, S. Timonen, R. Sen (2004). Suillus bovinus glutamine synthetase gene organization, transcription and enzyme activities in the Scots pine mycorrhizosphere developed on forest humus. New Phytologist. 164(2), pp.389-399.

  M. Öpik, M. Moora, J. Liira, U. Kõljalg, M. Zobel, et al. R. Sen. (2003). Divergent arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities colonize roots of Pulsatilla spp. in boreal Scots pine forest and grassland soils. New Phytol. 160(3), pp.581-593.

  H. Grönberg, L. Paulin, R. Sen (2003). ITS probe development for specific detection of Rhizoctonia spp. and Suillus bovinus based on Southern blot and liquid hybridization-fragment length polymorphism. Mycol Res. 107(Pt 4), pp.428-438.

  AM. Hietala, K. Korhonen, R. Sen (2003). An Unknown Mechanism Promotes Somatic Incompatibility in Ceratobasidium bicorne. Mycologia. 95(2), pp.239-239.

  M. Bomberg, G. Jurgens, A. Saano, R. Sen, S. Timonen (2003). Nested PCR detection of Archaea in defined compartments of pine mycorrhizospheres developed in boreal forest humus microcosms. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 43(2), pp.163-171.

  AM. Hietala, K. Korhonen, R. Sen (2003). An unknown mechanism promotes somatic incompatibility in Ceratobasidium bicorne. Mycologia. 95(2), pp.239-250.

  R. Sen (2003). The root-microbe-soil interface: New tools for sustainable plant production. New Phytologist. 157(3), pp.391-394.

  M. Öpik, M. Moora, J. Liira, U. Kõljalg, M. Zobel, et al. R. Sen. (2003). Divergent arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities colonize roots of Pulsatilla spp. in boreal Scots pine forest and grassland soils. New Phytologist. 160(3), pp.581-593.

  K. Björklöf, R. Sen, KS. Jørgensen (2003). Maintenance and impacts of an inoculated mer/luc-tagged Pseudomonas fluorescens on microbial communities in birch rhizospheres developed on humus and peat. Microbial Ecology. 45(1), pp.39-52.

  U. Kõljalg, H. Tammi, S. Timonen, R. Agerer, R. Sen (2002). ITS rDNA sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of Tomentellopsis species from boreal and temperate forests, and the identification of pink-type ectomycorrhizas. Mycological Progress. 1(1), pp.81-92.

  J. Heinonsalo, KS. Jørgensen, R. Sen (2001). Microcosm-based analyses of Scots pine seedling growth, ectomycorrhizal fungal community structure and bacterial carbon utilization profiles in boreal forest humus and underlying illuvial mineral horizons. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 36(1), pp.73-84.

  R. Sen (2001). Multitrophic interactions between a Rhizoctonia sp. and mycorrhizal fungi affect Scots pine seedling performance in nursery soil. New Phytologist. 152(3), pp.543-553.

  H. Tammi, S. Timonen, R. Sen (2001). Spatiotemporal colonization of Scots pine roots by introduced and indigenous ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest humus and nursery Sphagnum peat microcosms. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 31(5), pp.746-756.

  J. Heinonsalo, KS. Jørgensen, K. Haahtela, R. Sen (2000). Effects of Pinus sylvestris root growth and mycorrhizosphere development on bacterial carbon source utilization and hydrocarbon oxidation in forest and petroleum-contaminated soils. Can J Microbiol. 46(5), pp.451-464.

  R. Sen (2000). Budgeting for the wood-wide web. New Phytologist. 145(2), pp.161-163.

  R. Sen, AM. Hietala, CD. Zelmer (1999). Common anastomosis and internal transcribed spacer RFLP groupings in binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates representing root endophytes of Pinus sylvestris, Ceratorhiza spp. from orchid mycorrhizas and a phytopathogenic anastomosis group. New Phytologist. 144(2), pp.331-341.

  KP. Sims, R. Sen, R. Watling, P. Jeffries (1999). Species and population structures of Pisolithus and Scleroderma identified by combined phenotypic and genomic marker analysis. Mycological Research. 103(4), pp.449-458.

  I. Sarand, S. Timonen, T. Koivula, R. Peltola, K. Haahtela, et al. R. Sen, M. Romantschuk. (1999). Tolerance and biodegradation of m-toluate by Scots pine, a mycorrhizal fungus and fluorescent pseudomonads individually and under associative conditions. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 86(5), pp.817-826.

  I. Sarand, S. Timonen, EL. Nurmiaho-Lassila, T. Koivula, K. Haahtela, et al. M. Romantschuk, R. Sen. (1998). Microbial biofilms and catabolic plasmid harbouring degradative fluorescent pseudomonads in Scots pine mycorrhizospheres developed on petroleum contaminated soil. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 27(2), pp.115-126.

  S. Timonen, R. Sen (1998). Heterogeneity of fungal and plant enzyme expression in intact Scots Pine - Suillus bovinus and - Paxillus involutus mycorrhizospheres developed in natural forest humus. New Phytologist. 138(2), pp.355-366.

  S. Timonen, KS. Jørgensen, K. Haahtela, R. Sen (1998). Bacterial community structure at defined locations of Pinus sylvestris - Suillus bovinus and Pinus sylvestris - Paxillus involutus mycorrhirospheres in dry pine forest humsus and nursery peat. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 44(6), pp.499-513.

  EL. Nurmiaho-Lassila, S. Timonen, K. Haahtela, R. Sen (1997). Bacterial colonization patterns of intact Pinus sylvestris mycorrhizospheres in dry pine forest soil: An electron microscopy study. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 43(11), pp.1017-1035.

  S. Timonen, H. Tammi, R. Sen (1997). Characterization of the host genotype and fungal diversity in Scots pine ectomycorrhiza from natural humus microcosms using isozyme and PCR-RFLP analyses. New Phytologist. 135(2), pp.313-323.

  S. Timonen, H. Tammi, R. Sen (1997). Outcome of interactions between genets of two Suillus spp. and different Pinus sylvestris genotype combinations: Identity and distribution of ectomycorrhizas and effects on early seedling growth in N-limited nursery soil. New Phytologist. 137(4), pp.691-702.

  AM. Hietala, R. Sen, A. Lilja (1994). Anamorphic and teleomorphic characteristics of a uninucleate Rhizoctonia sp. isolated from the roots of nursery grown conifer seedlings. Mycological Research. 98(9), pp.1044-1050.

  V. Salo, R. Sen (1993). Isoenzyme analysis of teliospores from species of Anthracoidea parasitic on Carex species. Canadian Journal of Botany. 71(11), pp.1406-1413.

  S. Rosendahl, R. Sen (1992). Isozyme Analysis of Mycorrhizal Fungi and their Mycorrhiza. Methods in Microbiology. 24(C), pp.169-194.

  R. SEN (1990). Isozymic identification of individual ectomycorrhizas synthesized between Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and isolates of two species of Suillus. New Phytologist. 114(4), pp.617-626.

  R. Sen (1990). Characterization of ectomycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizas of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) by isoenzyme analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 28(1-4), pp.463-468.

  R. Sen, CM. Hepper, C. Azcon-Aguilar, S. Rosendahl (1990). Competition between introduced and indigenous mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spp.) for root colonization of leek. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 29(1-4), pp.355-359.

  R. SEN (1990). Intraspecific variation in two species of Suillus from scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests based on somatic incompatibility and isozyme analyses. New Phytol. 114, pp.607-616.

  S. Rosendahl, R. Sen, CM. Hepper, C. Azcon-Aguilar (1989). Quantification of three vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spp) in roots of leek (Allium porrum) on the basis of activity of diagnostic enzymes after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 21(4), pp.519-522.

  CM. HEPPER, C. AZCON-AGUILAR, S. ROSENDAHL, R. SEN (1988). Competition between three species of Glomus used as spatially separated introduced and indigenous mycorrhizal inocula for leek (Allium porrum L.). New Phytologist. 110(2), pp.207-215.

  CM. Hepper, R. Sen, C. Azcon-Aguilar, C. Grace (1988). Variation in certain isozymes amongst different geographical isolates of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus clarum, Glomus monosporum and Glomus mosseae. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 20(1), pp.51-59.

  CM. HEPPER, R. SEN, CS. MASKALL (1986). Identification of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots of leek (Allium porrum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) on the basis of enzyme mobility during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. New Phytologist. 102(4), pp.529-539.

  R. Sen, CM. Hepper (1986). Characterization of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spp) by selective enzyme staining following polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 18(1), pp.29-34.

  R. Sen, CM. Hepper (1985). Identification of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi using selective enzyme polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Journal of the Science in Food and Agriculture. 37, pp.258-259.

• Chapters in books

  M. Toubes-Rodrigo, SJ. Cook, D. Elliott, R. Sen (2016). Sampling and describing glacier ice. In: Geomorphological Techniques. British Society for Geomorphology, London,

  AM. Hietala, R. Sen (1996). Rhizoctonia associated with forest trees. B. Sneh, S. Jabaji-Hare, S. Neate, G. Dijst. In: Rhizoctonia Species: Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Pathology and Disease Control. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publisher, pp.351-358.

  R. Sen, . Nurmiaho-Lassila, E.L., K. Haahtela, T. Korhonen (1996). Specificity and primary mode of attachment of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains to the cell walls of ectomycorrhizal fungi. C. Azcon-Aguilar, JM. Barea. In: Mycorrhizas in integrated systems from genes to plant development. ECSC-EC-EAEC Press, pp.661-664.

  CM. Hepper, R. Sen (1986). Biochemical characterization of VAMF. V. Gianinazzi-Pearson, S. Gianinazzi. In: Physiological and Genetical Aspects of Mycorrhizae: Proceedings of the 1st European Symposium on Mycorrhizae. Dijon: INRA, pp.611-614.

Expert reviewer for journals and publishers

Grant Application Reviewer (1998-)

NERC, BBSRC, Academy of Finland, National Science and Engineering Research Council, Canada, Academy of Finland, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, NWO, The Netherlands

Journal Referee (1988-)

Over 15 peer-review Plant and Soil Science journals 

Community, charity and NGO links

Science Communication

• Sense about Science: Plant Science panel member answering questions from the public particularly in relation to soil science and microbiology

  http://archive.senseaboutscience.org/pages/plant-science-expert-panel.html

• Cafe Scientifique Manchester and Halifax: Invited talks given to the public

          http://www.cafescientifique.manchester.ac.uk/past-events/

          http://www.cafescihalifax.org/pastmeetings.html

Media appearances or involvement

1. BBCOne News, BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio Manchester and Stoke interviews (October and November 2012) regarding the Ash Dieback crisis

Editorial board membership

• (2005-to-date) Editor: Journal of Plant Interactions
• (2011-2013) Editor: ISRN Soil Science
• (1994-2008) Editorial Advisor: New Phytologist

Membership of professional associations

Member of The Microbiology Society