Lauren Chappell (she/her)

Tel: +44 1865 275155 (office) 

Twitter: @ElcyHK 

I carried out my undergraduate degree in Biology at Cardiff University, followed by a Masters in Molecular Plant Biology and Biotechnology at Imperial College London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. My PhD at the University of Warwick focussed on characterising the casual agents of parsnip canker, and developing a resistance strategy in collaboration with my industrial partner, Elsoms Seeds Ltd. After my PhD I took up a position as a Plant Pathologist and Phytobiologist at Elsoms Seeds Ltd for several years, before transitioning back into academia with a short-term postdoc with the Big Data Institute, University of Oxford and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine where I investigated the transcriptomics of insecticide resistance in mosquitos.    

My current postdoctoral research position looks at effector gene persistence in bacterial plant pathogens, I primarily work with the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola and its host the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). I use a range of molecular and imaging techniques to monitor bacterial persistence in virulent and avirulent strains, including the development of biosensors to assess plant immunity. I also have a keen interest in seed pathology and systemic infections; leading several student projects on seed treatment technologies.  

Outside of the lab, I enjoy exploring the countryside and am a keen musician, playing in several orchestras and ensembles. If you have any questions about my research, or would like to collaborate please get in touch via email: lauren.chappell@plants.ox.ac.uk