Fellows of the AAB
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WHY JOIN AAB?
In 2024 AAB Council initiated the award of AAB Fellowship.
This award will provide Fellows with the option to add F App Biol after their name.
To be eligible for AAB fellowship current members must:
> Be an AAB Member for at least seven years.
> Demonstrate a significant contribution to the field of Applied Biology.
> Members should submit an application form and short CV to AAB Exective Officer Dr Geraint Parry. (geraint@aab.org.uk).
> At the next AAB Council meeting, they will consider applications and reply to applicants soon afterwards with their decision.
Given their significant contribution to Applied Biology we encourage AAB event organisers to consider selecting Fellows when selecting invited speakers, session chairs or expert participants. Please ask Geraint Parry to obtain the contact information for any of the AAB Fellows.
AAB Fellows
Charlotte White
Currently, Charlotte is Technical Co-Lead of the pea and bean Yield Enhancement Networks (YENs), which aim to understand and benchmark pulse crop performance on farm. She manages the ADAS Seedling Root Screen facility, a controlled environment seedling screen, is involved in the AHDB Strategic Farm North project and is project manager of the Horizon Europe project, Root2Res: Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change”. Charlotte is a technical member of the British Society of Soil Science and a member of the Association of Applied Biologists and convenor of the AAB Soil and Root Biology specialist group.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Miguel Aranda
Miguel A. Aranda graduated from the Polytechnics University of Madrid in 1989 and earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1995. Following this, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at the John Innes Center (JIC) in Norwich, UK, from 1995 to 1998, during which he attended his first AAB Plant Virology meeting. In 1999, he joined the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) as a tenured scientist and relocated to Murcia, Spain, in 2002, where he currently leads the CEBAS-CSIC Plant Virology research group.
Throughout his career, Miguel has undertaken sabbatical stays at JIC (3 months in 2008), UC Berkeley (12 months in 2011-2012), and UC Davis (6 months in 2017). Presently, he holds the position of Research Professor at CEBAS-CSIC and is a founder and shareholder of the technology-based company Abiopep S.L. (www.abiopep.com). Additionally, he serves as the Senior Editor for the Plant-Pathogen Interaction section of Annals of Applied Biology and the plant viruses section of Viruses.
With over 30 years of experience, Miguel has dedicated his efforts to comprehending the biology of plant viruses and their interactions with hosts. His applied research focuses on developing sustainable strategies for controlling plant diseases caused by viruses. He places particular emphasis on identifying, characterizing, and introgressing genetic resistance to plant viruses in crops. Noteworthy contributions of Miguel’s work in this field include the characterization of resistance genes and mechanisms in horticultural species of paramount importance.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Christine Watson
Christine Watson is Professor of Agricultural Systems at SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College, http://www.sruc.ac.uk/). She also holds a Guest Professorship at SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). Christine’s research focuses on the management of micro and macro nutrients in organic and conventional agri-food systems at a range of scales from local to continental. She has a particular interest in crop diversification and the agronomic and environmental benefits this can bring in stocked and stockless farming systems. Christine was President of the European Society for Agronomy (2014/2016), and President of the Association of Applied Biologists (2017/18). She is on the editorial board of the European Journal of Agronomy. Christine currently chairs the UK Expert Group on Organic Production.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
David Atkinson
David Atkinson. Graduated University of Hull 1966 in Botany and Zoology, PhD University of Newcastle 1969. East Malling Research Station 1969-1985 research on the impact of orchard design on the form and functioning of fruit tree root systems, their water use and their arbuscular mycorrhizas. Development of weed control strategies for orchards. Development of strawberry production systems. Macaulay Institute for Soil Research/ Macaulay Land Use Research Institute 1985-1988 Head of Department of Soil Fertility/ Plants Division. Research on genetic variation in cereal root systems and on Agro-forestry systems. University of Aberdeen/ Scottish Agricultural College 1988-1993 Professor of Agriculture, Land Resources. Research on Organic Farming Systems and on tree root systems and their mycorrhizas. Scottish Agricultural College 1993-2004 Vice Principal and Academic Director responsible for the SAC research and education programmes. Involved in Scottish Sustainable Farming Systems Project and in GMO/Gene Editing debates. 2005-present Anglican Clergy in the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. Chair SEC Church in Society Committee 2014-2019. Falkland Rural Enterprises Ltd. ( an Organic Farming Company) Director/ Chair 2006-2016. Scottish Government Food and Drink Forum member and chair of Group on Food Access, Affordability and Security 2008-2010 Chair Society for Chemical Industry Horticulture Group 2020-2023. Author of around 200 Scientific papers and recently Author/Editor of The Science Beneath Organic Production Wiley 2020, Editing Humanity Handsel Press 2020 Proceedings of IX International Symposium on The Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Trees 2022 Acta Horticulturae 133.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Keith Norman
Keith graduated from Newcastle University and since then has followed a career in farm management, crop production and agricultural technology for nearly 40 years.
For thirty years, Keith was Valcourt’s Technical Director, supporting the Velcourt team of 45 farm managers in crop production technology and managing Velcourt’s in-house research and development activity. He has also worked on various overseas farming activities in Spain, France, Germany, Zambia, Russia, the Ukraine and Australia
Since October 2018, Keith formed his own freelance, independent consultancy company, specialising in Agritech and Crop Production.
Keith’s portfolio of clients is diverse and includes two Start-ups, a Distributor, a Venture Capital Company, a Remote Sensing /Data analytics Company, a large farming estate in Lincolnshire and he also leads 4 Farmer Training Groups in strategic agronomy.
Until recently Keith was a member of the Governing Council of the John Innes Centre, a Director of LEAF and was on the AHDB RL Wheat committee. He still holds a position as a trustee of the John Innes Foundation.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Erika Wedgwood
Erika Wedgwood has been a research scientist with ADAS near Cambridge since 2005. Her focus is on applied research, working with horticultural growers to obtain a better understanding of their crop disease issues and to investigate biological and cultural control measures alongside evaluating fungicide efficacy. Soil-borne pathogen monitoring and management has been a key feature of her research, particularly in soft and cane fruit, ornamentals and vegetables.
Before moving to ADAS, Erika was a Scientific Officer at NIAB Cambridge for 14 years, conducting variety disease and pest resistance National List trials of oilseeds, potatoes, pulses, grasses and vegetables. Prior to this, she was awarded a MAFF PhD studentship at the University of Cambridge to carry out research on dipteran stem-borer migration in cereals and grasses. This followed on from an MSc in The Technology of Crop Protection at the University of Reading.
Erika started out her studies at the University of Bristol, wishing to do a BSc that included both Botany and Zoology. Her interest across the whole field of biology persists and she continues to use her knowledge within the field of integrated crop management and ecology.
She has been a Cub Scout leader for 30 years, allowing her to share her interest in the natural world and creative activities. Erika and her husband grow willow and enjoy providing willow weaving opportunities at village fairs. As a long-standing member of the Cambridgeshire Local Access Forum, Erika participates in statutory consultations related to access to the countryside and green space.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Bill Davies
Bill Davies is Emeritus Professor of Plant Biology at Lancaster University, UK. He has published more than 300 papers in the international literature. He continues to research interventions that are aimed at enhancing global food security, while particularly focussing on understanding how crop plants might sustain yield under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. In 2012, the Davies lab has won a ‘Queen’s Award for Innovation’ for work on sustainable resource use in agriculture. Recent work has highlighted the accumulation of microplastic in agricultural sols across the globe. Bill comes from a farming family and has an interest in helping farmers profit from novel science. Until recently he directed a professional postgraduate programme for those who work in the global food supply chain. Davies was Editor in Chief of the Journal of Experimental Botany for 12 years and was an Associate Editor of ‘Food and Energy Security’ for 12 years. Currently he is Associate Editor in Chief for ‘Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering’. In 2011, Bill was awarded a CBE for services to science, he was elected as a Corresponding Member of the American Society of Plant Biologists in 2009 and made a lifetime member of the Society for Experimental Biology in 2012. Bill joined AAB in the 1970s and served as President between 2014-2016.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Ronald Perry
Professor Roland Perry is Senior Visiting Research Scientist at the University of Hertfordshire, with teaching and supervisory links to Ghent University, Belgium, where he is Guest Professor. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) and a PhD in Zoology from Newcastle University. After a year’s post-doctoral research at Newcastle, he moved to Keele University, where he taught Parasitology; after 3 years at Keele, he was appointed to Rothamsted Research. He moved to the University of Hertfordshire in 2012. His research interests have centred primarily on plant-parasitic nematodes, especially focusing on nematode hatching, sensory perception, behaviour and survival physiology.
He co-edited The Physiology and Biochemistry of Free-living and Plant-parasitic Nematodes (1998), Root-knot Nematodes (2009), Molecular and Physiological Basis of Nematode Survival (2011), Cyst Nematodes (2018), Techniques for Work with Plant and Soil Nematodes (2021) and the first (2006), second (2013) and third (2024) editions of the text book, Plant Nematology. He is author or co-author of over 40 chapters and reviews and over 120 research papers. He is co-Editor-in-Chief of Nematology, Chief Editor of the Russian Journal of Nematology and co-editor of the book series Nematology Monographs and Perspectives. In 2001, he was elected Fellow of the Society of Nematologists (USA) in recognition of his research achievements; in 2008 he was elected Fellow of the European Society of Nematologists for outstanding contribution to nematology; in 2011 he was elected Honorary Member of the Russian Society of Nematologists; and in 2022 he was elected Honorary Member of the Association of Applied Biologists
Award Fellowship: July 2024
Jon West
Jon West is a principal research scientist at Rothamsted Research, working on applied crop protection projects. Jon obtained a BSc in Biology from Royal Holloway, London in 1990 and a PhD in Plant Pathology at Reading in 1994. Jon’s work has focused on the biology and control of fungal diseases, measurement of plant disease resistance, early detection of diseases and dispersal of spores and pollen. Jon acts on committees including the Association of Applied Biologists applied plant pathology group and the British Crop Production Council diseases working group, is currently an associate editor for Annals of Applied Biology and is a member of the British Society for Plant Pathology. Previously, he was a member of the European Food Safety Authority plant health panel (2015-18) and was an associate editor for the European Journal of Plant Pathology and for Aerobiologia. He is a visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire and has been recognized with an honorary Professorship from the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Stuart Knight
Stuart Knight is a Research Agronomist with 33 years of experience in applied crop management research; crop trials; authoring research reviews; collaborating with academic and industry partners; delivering knowledge exchange; and providing technical advice to farmers and agronomists. He is currently Deputy Director of NIAB, and Director of Agronomy. Stuart’s interests include all aspects of combinable crop husbandry and performance, including nutrient management; fungal disease control; managing variation and decision support. Recent projects include high carbon capture cropping, opportunities for diversifying UK agriculture through underutilised crops, and the impact of farming systems and management practices on the economic and environmental performance of farms. Stuart is a former President (2019-20) and Vice-President (2017-18) of the Association of Applied Biologists. From a farming family, Stuart retains a strong practical farming interest.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Xiangming Xu
Prof Xiangming Xu is the Director of Research, NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) at East Malling, Kent, UK. Following his undergraduate study in Yang University (former Jiangsu Agricultural College), China, he completed his PhD in plant genetics in 1989 at University of Wales, UK.
Since 1991, Xiangming has been working at East Malling, focusing on quantitative disease epidemiology and management of fruit crops. In addition, he has been continuously collaborating with international researchers on biology, epidemiology and management of diseases on other crops, including wheat and cotton. Recently, Xiangming has been engaged in understanding phytobiome in relation to plant health. In addition to crop specific work, he has been continuously engaging in theoretical modelling of plant diseases and their management.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
James Clarke
James is an Agriculture graduate of Reading University. He has been with ADAS since 1979. He is an expert in all aspects of production, especially sustainable agriculture, integrated farming and impacts of arable farming on the environment. He has a strategic/project director role in major projects on research investment, climate resilience, plant breeding, farming systems, assessment of sustainability, use and impacts of plant protection products, herbicide resistance and weed management. Other project involvement includes work on: farmland biodiversity, developing Weed Manager (a weed management decision support system for winter wheat), weed encyclopaedia and weed ecology.
I develop and co-ordinate business opportunities within ADAS and the RSK Group through maintaining a high profile for ADAS externally and internally, especially in areas of farming and science. This includes providing a leadership and mentoring role for staff within ADAS, and where appropriate wider RSK Group, to enable them to develop their technical, business and managerial skills and industry profiles to improve the performance of their business areas.
Chair (from 2024) of UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP) & member as an agronomy specialist (2021-2023). Chair of Pesticides Forum (and chairman of Indicators group) – Member 1997-2016; Chair 2001-2002 and 2007-2015. Independent Member of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) as an expert in efficacy and farming systems (2003-7) – and member of the Alternative Approaches sub-group. Chair of Weed Resistance Action Group steering committee. Member of RSPB Lowland Farm Advisory Group. Associate of Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS).
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Clare Sampson
Dr Clare Sampson in an applied entomologist who has spent her career developing cost-effective integrated pest management programmes for key pests. Clare specialises in biological control and has worked for different biocontrol companies, Jesey states, and government of Belize (VSO) to develop management programmes for key protected crop pests, including thrips, leaf miners, whiteflies, diamondback moth and aphids. Programmes developed have reduced pest damage and pesticide use, and increased grower returns. Most recently she has been working with organic dairy farmer to boost pollinator numbers on farms through BBCT and has joined the Natur am Byth project with RSPB aimed at saving species from extinction and connecting people to nature in NW Wales.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson has worked in spray application since 1973. Joining Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta), in 1977, his career has specialised in developing novel application techniques to enhance the performance of crop protection products (cpps), while improving their safety to operators, bystanders and the environment. Working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues, he has been involved in the development of bespoke nozzles for different cpps, crops, and targets, to optimise the effectiveness of the products applied. These nozzles are used worldwide. Other contributions include the development of conventional cpp packaging to reduce the risk of operator and environmental contamination when filling a sprayer, and the development of closed transfer systems. A key aspect of Tom’s approach has been close co-operation with end users, and independent researchers.
Since retiring from Syngenta in 2014 continues as a consultant for many agrochemical and equipment manufacturers, farmers and training groups.
Tom joined the AAB in 1985, first served on the Chemical Applications Group committee in 1990, and was Group Convenor from 2014 – 2022.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Geoff Dixon
Geoff is a horticulturist, plant pathologist, soil biologist, educationalist, author, substantial practical knowledge of British horticultural crop production especially field vegetables. Particular expert interest in Plasmodiophora brassicae the cause of Clubroot Disease of brassicas and related crucifers. Career pathway, Wye College (University of London), National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Aberdeen School of Agriculture, Strathclyde University and Scottish Agricultural College, Reading School of Agriculture, Policy and Development. Owner of GreenGene International supplying independent knowledge and consultancy. Director of the Scottish Horticultural Advisory Service.
Freeman of the Cities of London and Glasgow, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and Deacon of the Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow. President of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Vice-President of the Royal Society of Biology. Commission Chairman, UK Council Representative and Internal Auditor with the International Society for Horticultural Science. Chairman of the Trustees of the Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology.
Promoted the advancement of horticultural and plant science education nationally and internationally. Collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Edinburgh, the Royal Horticultural Society Master of Horticulture and the School of Horticulture Kew. Worked with colleagues in Europe, North Africa, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Research identified the basis for interactions between calcium, boron and pH with P. brassicae and modelled invasion processes, established the European Clubroot Differential Series – A legacy that lasts.
Recently published Vegetable brassicas and related crucifers second edition. Devoted family man and avid gardener.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Graham Jellis
Graham Jellis graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc in Botany and a PhD in Plant Pathology. His first appointment was as a potato pathologist at the Plant Breeding Institute Cambridge in 1972. His responsibilities broadened over the next few years to other dicot crops, including faba beans, and he was appointed Head of the Dicot Pathology Unit. Following privatisation of the PBI he became Pathology Group Leader. The Group worked on disease resistance in cereals, oilseeds and pulses. In 1995 he was appointed Head of the Plant Technology Group with overall responsibility for co-ordinating and resourcing activities within the Group. R & D activities included DNA marker systems for wheat, oil palm, tomatoes etc., transformation of cereals and dicot crops, conventional and transgenic strategies for introducing disease resistance, physiology of oil palm and tea, and tissue culture of a wide range of crops for breeding and marketing purposes. In the same year, he was appointed as an Honorary Professor in Applied Plant Pathology at the University of Nottingham.
After 27 years at PBI, Graham moved to the Home-Grown Cereals Authority as Director of Research and Development, responsible for directing and controlling R&D and for producing independent information based on this research. From 2003-7 he was also Lead Technical Director of the Applied Research Forum for Farming and Food, bringing together research directors/managers from across the agricultural/horticultural levy boards (prior to the establishment of the AHDB). Following retirement in 2009 he chaired the Cereals and Oilseeds Recommended Lists Board for five years.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Jane Wishart
I worked at the James Hutton Institute in the Nematology department for eight years, working on two major European funded projects. On both projects I was working on root knot nematodes, a major crop root pest in Europe, developing a molecular diagnostic for Meloidogyne chitwoodi (PhD project) and identifying genes important to the host parasite interaction using resistant plants and nematode populations varying in virulence (post-doctoral research). The remaining years at the Hutton Institute were spent working on the genetics of plant roots and developing a screen for root traits associated with drought tolerance and nutrient uptake efficiency. I moved to the University of St Andrews where I brought nematology and plant research to the Biology undergraduate curriculum and developed a senior honours course in Plant Environment Interactions. I also taught Agriculture and Conservation for the Sustainable Development degree programme. I retired in 2016 and am now Senior Ecologist in a consultancy (Aetos Research). I am still involved in teaching at the University of St Andrews, where I am an honorary lecturer, as well as at the University of Dundee where Aetos Research delivers statistical training to postgraduate students. My first presentation as a PhD student was at the AAB Nematology meeting in the Linnean Society, London, in 1997 and I have presented at many AAB meetings since. The last was at the AAB meeting, “Breeding plants to cope with future climate change” in Leeds, 2014. I have been an AAB member most of the time since 1997.
Award Fellowship: July 2024
Matthew Back
Matthew Back is a Reader and lead for the Nematology Group at Harper Adams University. He teaches Plant Pathology and Crop Protection to undergraduate and postgraduate students, while his research is focussed on developing knowledge on the biology and management of plant parasitic nematodes, particularly those infecting potatoes. His group have undertaken significant research on potato cyst nematodes (PCN) and free-living plant parasitic nematodes of other crops; the group have been active since 1992. Work has also been undertaken on strategies for managing nematode pests, including trap cropping, biofumigation, use of varietal tolerance, novel compounds, chitin and biopesticides. Research outputs from the HAU Nematology Group have been used in support of industry recommendations, such as those in recent guides produced by the AHDB; ‘The PCN Grower Guide’ and Biofumigation for management of potato cyst nematodes (PCN). Dr Back’s group have provided significant evidence to support the application of biofumigation (brassica cover crops) for the suppression of PCN. In particular, they have identified factors that affect glucosinolate accumulation and accumulated data to support partial biofumgation.
Matthew Back is actively involved in the supervision of PhD students having current/previous involvement in 25 projects to date. He has been an author on 45+ refereed papers, most of them on Nematology, and is a regular speaker at scientific and industry events.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Tom Pope
Tom Pope has over twenty years’ experience of applied entomology research. My research has focused on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), insect behaviour, plant-insect interactions and biological control. Much of this work has been directed toward the management of aphid pests of arable and horticultural crops, such as the peach-potato aphid, mealy cabbage aphid, damson-hop aphid, rosy apply aphid, woolly apple aphid, potato aphid, English grain aphid and bird cherry-oat aphid. Other key pest species studied include vine weevil, cabbage stem flea beetle and saddle gall midge. I have managed a wide range of projects including those funded by BBSRC, Innovate UK, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), AgriFood Charities Partnership (AFCP), Teagasc, International Atomic Energy Agency and Defra. As a result of this research, I have published over 50 peer-reviewed papers, including reviews on the management of vine weevil and cabbage stem flea beetle. In addition to my research activities, I am currently director of studies for seven PhD students and co-supervise a further seven PhD students. I also supervise MRes, MSc and BSc student projects as well as lecturing in entomology and IPM on BSc and MSc course modules as well as short courses, including BASIS.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Eric Anderson
Eric Anderson with over thirty-eight years of experience in crop and soil management is simply one of the most capable agricultural arable advisors operating within the UK today. Winning potato agronomist of the year 2023. Associateship of the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS) is in recognition of a high level of competence in high grade potato seed production and a personal contribution to the benefit of agriculture.
Eric is passionate about all aspects of potato agronomy and storage. His work has spanned a wide range of projects from crop nutrition, soil health, plant parasitic nematodes, foliar and tuber diseases, seed physiology, aphids, potyvirus and late blight. Well known as a speaker and authority supporting knowledge exchange on Integrated Crop Management. He regularly conducts seminars and training courses on the transfer and application of science into practical solutions. He is currently part of the operational group for the current National Potato Virus Forum, the Scottish Aphid Borne Virus Working Group and the Potato Treater Group.
While most associated with the potato crop, where he has an international reputation that has seen him consult throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America. He is equally comfortable discussing combinable crops, new technology and techniques, cover cropping and soil management. Vice Chairman and Member of The Committee of Management for The Scottish Society for Crop Research. Trustee for The Scottish Society for Crop Research. Eric maintains close linkages with growers and the wider arable industry, to enable effective communication and practical adoption of research findings.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Claire Domoney
Professor Claire Domoney is an Emeritus fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK, where she was formerly Head of Department. She holds an honorary chair at the University of East Anglia’s School of Biological Sciences. Her awards include the Royal Agricultural Society of England medal and MBE for contributions to crop improvement. The focus of Claire’s research is on seed quality traits in pulse crops, principally pea, with an emphasis on understanding the genetic basis for protein accumulation and its relevance to nutrition. She uses metabolomic, genetic and genomic approaches in studies of biochemical pathways in seeds, generating germplasm which provides insights to trait biology. Her work has contributed to a greater understanding of resistant starch in foods, through collaboration with QIB, Norwich and ICL. Other partnerships have been crucial to her work, through leadership of the Defra-funded Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network and participation in EU and LINK projects, involving collaboration with breeders and additional industries.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Paul Struik
Paul C. Struik obtained an MSc degree in Agronomy and a PhD degree from Wageningen University, in the Netherlands. In his early career, he studied the genetic and agronomic factors influencing the whole-crop digestibility of forage maize. He then switched to research on the physiology of tuber formation and tuber size distribution in potato. In 1986, he was appointed Professor of Arable Farming in the Temperate Regions at Wageningen University. This chair was later changed into Crop and Grassland Science and finally into Crop Physiology. During the later stages of his career, he focused on agrobiodiversity, seed systems and modelling of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration (of C3, different C4 subtypes and intermediate forms) in a great variety of crop species. In many research projects, he collaborated with colleagues from the social sciences. He published over 600 papers in international scientific journals and he supervised more than 125 PhD candidates from more than 45 countries until to date (December 2023). Throughout his career, he has been editor or editor-in-chief of many international scientific journals, including Potato Research, PLoS One, Field Crops Research, and (for more than 20 years) Annals of Applied Biology. He has been the recipient of several international awards, including the International Crop Science Award (from the Crop Science Society of America) and the World Potato Congress Industry Award. In 2022, he received a Royal Decoration in the rank of Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau for his service to education, science and society.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
David Midmore
David’s initial research undertaken with CIMMYT in Mexico in the early to mid-70’s as a good old-fashioned agronomist led to the development of wheat as a true tropical crop, an achievement that he replicated with the tropical potato while at CIP in Peru in the 1980’s.
He worked with private industry in the Caribbean in the sugar industry and his five years working in Taiwan at the World Vegetable Centre in the early 1990’s set him in good stead to become a recognized expert in Asian vegetables within Australia where since 1995 he held an appointment as Foundation Professor of Plant Science at CQUniversity. His extensive experience in tropical horticulture led to the invitation to write a book for the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau on the subject of ‘The principles of tropical horticulture’. He has an holistic grasp of the issues facing the future of global agriculture and horticulture, and his opinions and input are sought widely, including by the UN CGIAR, the UK DFID, and USAID and the USDA where he has undertaken Programme and Consortium reviews.
He developed a fully commercialised simple hydroponics system in Vietnam that has provided re-investment of research funding back to individuals and to the University of Hanoi. Other research set the scene for grafting technology with annual vegetable species, with adoption increasing by the day in Asia and now passing 200 million plantlets annually. His research funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation [Australia] on bamboo as a timber and vegetable species led to further research and development in Southeast Asia.
Other recent achievements include development of approval for use of Stevia rebaudiana as an intense sweetener in Australia and New Zealand, with attendant health benefits and consequent approvals in the US and Europe, and a revolutionary delivery of oxygen in irrigation water to crop roots. He lives in Mexico and remains a good old-fashioned agronomist, who learns through experience.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Olaf Schmidt
Olaf Schmidt is an academic educator and researcher, with 20+ years’ experience of teaching, supervising and mentoring as a lecturer/professor at university level. His main teaching areas are applied entomology, soil ecology, and agri-environmental science and policy. His main research interests are in the ecology, biodiversity and biochemistry of soils in the context of managed soil–plant–animal systems. Other active research interests are in crop pest management, invasive species, tick ecology, and meat authentication and livestock traceability with stable isotope ratio techniques.
Awarded Fellowship: March 2024.
Steve Portas
Steve Portas is a Senior Agronomist and Technical Support Advisor at Agrii (UK) Ltd. Steve’s main focus is on the agronomy of Sugar Beet and Pulses, to produce technical documents to promote the use of applied research to Agrii Agronomists on farm. He is involved in industry funded R&D projects looking at increasing the use of Pulses in farming systems and in remote sensing. Steve works as an Agronomist to growers in N.Lincolnshire, utilising both Precision Farming and engaged in the Sustainable Farming Initiative.
Steve has a practical knowledge of soils and cropping techniques gained over 4 decades of advisory work on farm. He is part of Agrii’s Technical Advisory Group involved in crop trials, looking into new Biological Products to enhance crop growth, to examine sustainable crop rotations, crop protection and to improve soil health.
Steve acts on the PGRO Trustee Committee at the Processors and Research Organisation based at Thornhaugh). He is also a member of the PGRO Pulses Committee with a focus on Research and Development of current pests and diseases. Steve has been a member of the AAB since 1992.
Award Fellowship: July 2024