Contact Dr Hanna Manwaring
Background
I have worked in both academic and industrial labs, specialising in molecular biology, genomics and analytical chemistry. My background is largely plant genetics and soil chemistry.
I obtained my bachelor's degree in Biology (2010 - 2013) and my master's degree in Food and Water Security (2013 - 2014) at Aberystwyth University. My master's degree was fully funded by scholarship (Convergence European Social Fund) through the Welsh Government/PhytoQuest Limited and also involved an industrial placement at PhytoQuest Ltd., Aberystwyth, UK, where I gained experience in pharmaceutical approaches to plant biology and analytical chemistry.
I completed my PhD in plant genetics at Aberystwyth University (2014 - 2018), which involved identifying genes associated with iron and zinc uptake in pearl millet, with potential to contribute to the development of micronutrient-rich varieties. My PhD was a BBSRC Industrial CASE Partnership with Unilever, which involved a 3 month industrial placement at Unilever, Colworth, Bedfordshire. During the placement I identified polyphenolic compounds that may affect the bioavailability of absorbable Zn and Fe in pearl millet using HPLC-MS.
Research opportunities
PDRA on project: 'Novel fertiliser formulations and management for African agriculture' (2022 - 2023), Cranfield University.
PDRA on project: "Mechanisms and genetics of Fe toxicity tolerance in African rice' (2018 - 2022), Cranfield University.
Current activities
Novel fertiliser formulations and management for African agriculture' (2022 - 2023):
Exploring how the admixture of N and K fertilisers with different P fertiliser compounds affects phosphate use efficiency in rice. I study interactions with fertiliser placement, root-induced changes in the rhizosphere, and plant genotype. This involves combining controlled environment experiments with mathematical modelling of important plant and soil processes.
'Mechanisms and genetics of Fe toxicity tolerance in African rice' (2018 - 2022):
Elucidating Fe toxicity tolerance mechanisms in selected rice varieties under Fe toxic conditions, and interactions with nutrient and water management to identify corresponding plant traits and soil/water management strategies.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Singh S, Manwaring HR, Naveen A, Hegarty M & Yadav RS. (2024). Genetic dissection of minerals and phytate content in pearl millet germplasm panel using genome‐wide association study. Food and Energy Security, 13(4)
- Rajonandraina T, Ueda Y, Wissuwa M, Kirk GJD, Rakotoson T, .... (2023). Magnesium supply alleviates iron toxicity-induced leaf bronzing in rice through exclusion and tissue-tolerance mechanisms. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14
- Kirk GJD, Manwaring HR, Ueda Y, Semwal VK & Wissuwa M. (2022). Below‐ground plant–soil interactions affecting adaptations of rice to iron toxicity. Plant, Cell & Environment, 45(3)
- Manwaring HR, Bligh HFJ & Yadav R. (2016). The Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Biofortification of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) with Elevated Levels of Grain Iron and Zinc. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7
- Kam J, Puranik S, Yadav R, Manwaring HR, Pierre S, .... (2016). Dietary Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes: How Millet Comes to Help. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7