2013- present Chancellors Fellow, University of Edinburgh 2011-2013 Postdoctoral Research Scientist, John Innes Centre, Norwich 2010-2011 Research Associate, University of Cambridge 2008-2009 NRF Research Fellow, University of Oxford 2004-2008 PhD, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa 2002-2003 MSc, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Photosynthesis is nature's principle source of oxygen production and solar energy capture. My laboratory studies the fascinating world of photosynthetic organisms, with particular focus on the biochemistry and physiology of higher plants and micro-algae. Our broad aim is to gain a better understanding of photosynthetic carbon fixation and primary carbon metabolism, and how these processes are co-ordinated with growth demands. Synthetic Biology is a new and exciting field that uses engineering principles to design and construct biological parts that can be readily incorporated into living organisms. Using this approach, we focus on re-engineering aspects of photosynthesis in C3 plants and examining the consequent effects on metabolism, growth and fecundity. This is important as the efficiency of photosynthetic carbon fixation is a major determinant of productivity in crops. Current work involves incorporating components of the carbon concentrating mechanisms found in micro-algal species, and re-engineering Rubisco, the primary carbon-dioxide assimilating enzyme.