The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Jennifer's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Jennifer
I am an ecological geneticist with a background in plant ecology, specialising in the genetics of species interactions and the application of molecular tools to tackle complex ecological questions. My research spans a wide range of systems—plants, pollinators, herbivores, and microbes—and environments from temperate to tropical biomes, integrating molecular, experimental, and field approaches.
As Co-(Deputy) Director of the Research England–funded Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Systems (CRISPS) at the University of Plymouth, I work at the interface of academia, industry, and policy. CRISPS addresses the urgent challenge of sustainably feeding a growing global population through research in production health and welfare, agri-tech and controlled environments, and soil health. These themes are all addressed in our MSc Sustainable Food Production, which I lead.
I am particularly interested in cross-disciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges, building collaborations that translate cutting-edge research into solutions for conservation, farming, fisheries, and food security.
My current research projects focus on:
- Molecular tools for biodiversity assessment – advancing techniques to quantify biodiversity in human-influenced environments, with applications for soil health in agriculture and plant–pollinator networks.
- Coastal plant conservation – population and conservation genetics of mangroves and seagrass to inform adaptation and restoration strategies.
- Ex situ conservation and reintroduction – improving success for endangered species, including bryophytes and carnivorous plants.
Supervised Research Degrees
Current students
Caroline Millan (PhD) Understanding the primary drivers for seagrass (Zostera marina) recovery and regeneration.
Cornelia Gwatidzo (PhD) Developing an integrated tool to assess soil health in agricultural settings.
Izadora Kervin (PhD), Developing capacity in ex situ conservation for threatened bryophytes.
Lydia Bunn (PhD), Restoring resilient mangroves - can consideration of genetic diversity improve success?
Olivia Murrell (PhD based at MMU and Chester Zoo), The conservation status and genetic diversity of Nepenthes in ex situ collections.
Sree Raveendran (ResM) Unlocking the code - using genetics to better understand seagraa population dynamics and informa seagrass conservation.
Alumni
(primary supervisor)
2025 - Rebecca Foster (ResM), The effect of salinity and genetic background on root traits in the black mangrove Avicennia germinans.
2021 - John Paul Kennedy (PhD) - Genetic Insights into Climate-Driven Range Expansion of a Coastal Foundation Species - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Marciana Galambao (PhD) - Population Genetics, Endosymbionts and Bunchy Top Virus - Studies of Banana Aphid (Pentalonia sp.) in the Philippines - Manchester Metropolitan University - Newton fund
2020 - Emily Schofield (PhD) - Temporal Dynamism, Soil Processes and Niche Complementary: Novel Approaches to Understanding Diversity-Function relationships - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with the James Hutton Institute
2020 - Calum Bridson (PhD) - Interactions between Insect Gut Microbiota and the Environment - University of Manchester - BBSRC DTP
2019 - Graeme Fox (PhD) - Developments in Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Ecological Genetics - Manchester Metropolitan University
2019 - Hayley Craig (PhD) - Factors Affecting the Composition, Diversity and Function of Bacterial Communities in Mangrove Soils - University of Manchester - NERC DTP
2017 - Katie Hunter (MPhil) - The Development of Molecular Techniques for the Conservation of Captive Elasmobranchs - University of Manchester
2013 - Richard Sands (MPhil) - Keeping the Bees Buzzing: Improving the Effectiveness of Nectar and Pollen Mixes - University of Manchester
(co-supervisor)
2023 - Xaali O'Reilly-Berkeley (PhD) Community Genetics in Complex Ecological Systems - Manchester Metropolitan University
2022 - Jodies Bates (PhD) - Assessing the Bacterial Zoonotic Risks Associated with the Pet Trade - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with World Animal Protection
2021 - Agnessa Lundy (MRes) - Rhizophora mangle(Red Mangrove) Population Genetic Structure in The Bahamas - Manchester Metropolitan University
2021 - Steven Canty (PhD) - Management of Marine Resources in the Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem - Manchester Metropolitan University
2018 - Oliver Hughes (PhD) - Orchid-Mycorrhiza Relationships, Propagation of Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids from Seed - Manchester Metropolitan University - joint funding with Chester Zoo
2016 - Daniel Lopez (MPhil) - Terrestrial Mammal Communities in Tropical Rainforests of Ecuador - University of Manchester
Teaching
Sustainable Agriculture (BIO5133) - Module lead
Ecology Field Course (BIOL219Z) - Module lead
Advances in Plant Technology & Biotechnology (BIO5134)
Contemporary Zoo Management (ANIM5006)
Conservation Ecology and Society (ANIM5008)
Introduction to Biological Sciences (BIOL119Z)
