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