Katie Stewart

Background

Katherine completed a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of East Anglia, with her research project focusing on a statistical correlation between characteristics of honeybee populations and crop yield.

She then went on to study for an MSc in Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement, with modules ranging from plant molecular genetics to plant breeding for beneficial crop traits. Her research project was based at the John Innes Centre; developing a reporter system to look at the interactions between a nitrogen fixing bacteria and wheat.

She then completed a 6 month research position within the same laboratory to extend this research, aiming to produce peer-reviewed data.

Following this she worked as a research administrative assistant at the NHS, helping with data collection for Covid-19 studies.

Current activities

Katherine is carrying out a PhD in environment and agrifood, and is based between NIAB EMR and Cranfield University. Her project title is ‘Understanding the dynamics of ascospore production to optimize apple scab management’, and during this project she will be focussing on the sexual reproduction of the apple scab fungus and identifying ways to prevent infection in orchards.

She is part of the Collaborative Training Partnership for Fruit Crop Research (CTP-FCR) and has collaborations with members of the tree fruit industries.