Current projects
We are currently partnering with the following projects with to deliver sponsored PhD opportunities (HKEP)
Adas
Understanding interactions of identified fungal pathogens on oilseed rape
Associate: James Fortune
Supervisors: Dr Yongju Huang, Prof. Bruce Fitt, Dr Faye Ritchie
Project description: The project aims to understand interactions between Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) and Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) at different stages of their life cycles and to develop new tools to control them.
Fluid Pharma
Development of microparticle formulations for dysphagia patients
Associate: Kavil Patel
Supervisors: Dr Fang Liu, Dr Craig Richardson
Project description: This project aims to investigate novel technology in coating microparticles and evaluating the drug release mechanisms in older patients with dysphagia.
Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation
Delivering a healthy and sustainable food economy in Letchworth Garden City
Associate: Amelie Andre
Supervisors: Dr Susan Parham, Prof. David Barling, Mr David Ames
Project description: The aim of the project is to underpin and improve the economic base of Letchworth Garden City in relation to food: applying planning, governance and policy tools which are of practical benefit to the townspeople and their health and well-being, and the sustainability of the community and its environment.
Neurolixis
Neuroprotective properties of serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonists in models of Parkinson’s disease.
Associate: William Powell
Supervisors: Dr Mahmoud Iravani
Project Description: The present neurochemical and behavioural neuroscience project involves the use of well-established techniques to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of novel drugs.
Plant Impact
Understanding the impact of low temperature on seed germination in maize.
Associate: TBC
Supervisors: Dr Cristina Barrero-Sicilia
Project Description: The project will focus on the biochemical and physiological responses of identified crop species to a range of temperature stress conditions during germination and emergence.
Syngenta Crop Protection UK Ltd
Determination of the key parameters influencing dislodgeable foliar pesticide residues.
Associate: Mohamed Badawy
Supervisors: Prof. Kathy Lewis, Dr Neil Morgan
Project description: The broad aim of this 4-year work programme is to better understand the factors that affect the occurrence and behaviour of Dislodgeable Foliar Residues with the intention of enabling the refinement of risk assessments.
Synoptics
Rapid bacteria colony counting algorithm development
Associate: Minghua Zheng
Supervisors: Dr Na Helian
Project description: The aim of this project is to propose and implement new algorithms which are robust to noise for rapid bacterial colony detection and counting.

