I am an Environmental Plant Biologist specialising in trees and pollution. I studied Biochemistry and Physiology as an undergraduate at the University of Sheffield (1994-1997) an MSc in Environmental Science at the University of Aberdeen (1999-2000) and a PhD at the University of Southampton (2003-2006) investigating the effects of climate change on tree growth.

On completion of my PhD I worked on a number of projects involved with understanding and optimising the sustainable use of trees as a source of bioenergy, and as a natural resource in sustainable urban planning. I have also worked in the teaching profession and the landscape and arboriculture industry.

The main focus of my research is to develop the understanding of how plants, in particular trees, respond to pollution and to changing environmental conditions. I use techniques to study plants that range from the molecular, to the plant scale, and up to global scales. Specific interests include:

The effects of climate change on plant growth and function. Understanding and optimising the use of urban plants in managing urban air pollution.