This event will take place from 14:00 -15:00 GMT (15:00-16:00 CET).
This event will feature keynote speakers Dr Lorena Rangel from the
James Hutton Institute, and Dr Alicia Showering from
BugBiome Ltd. The talks will be followed by an opportunity for an audience Q&A and discussion.
Speakers
Dr Alicia Showering has a PhD in molecular microbiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. During this time, Alicia discovered that certain microbes could naturally repel pests while remaining undetected, leading to more effective and sustainable pest protection. BugBiome allows us to identify microbial solutions that outsmart pests naturally, without harming beneficial insects or the environment. What started as a scientific discovery has grown into a mission to develop novel pest protection through the power of nature’s own defence mechanisms.
Alicia’s talk will outline her journey to founding
BugBiome, highlighting key steps such as early internships and the shift from skin-microbiome and mosquito research to developing crop-protection solutions. She will also discuss the importance of culturing diverse microbes—how these are sourced, why diversity matters—and explain why conventional insecticides are becoming ineffective, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable, next-generation alternatives.
Dr Lorena Rangel is a plant pathologist in the epidemiology group within the Cell and Molecular Sciences department. Her research focuses on the foliar microbiome of agricultural crops or their wild progenitors and how phytopathogenesis impacts community structure. In particular, she is interested in investigating the potential to exploit the foliar and endophytic microbiome for tailored disease control of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Lorena’s talk will cover her path into academia and her international research experience, followed by an overview of her work in bacterial ecology and plant microbiomes, including how these intersect with fungal plant diseases. She will also discuss her role within the Integrated Pest Management group at the James Hutton Institute and their efforts to identify sustainable alternatives to fungicides. Finally, she will present insights from the PHUGS RSB research project from summer 2024, share progress since the studentship, and outline ongoing and future directions of her work.
Who should attend?
This event is open to all, but will be particularly relevant to scientists including those working in areas related to plant health.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
This event is approved by the Royal Society of Biology for purposes of
CPD and can be counted as
3 CPD points. If you are a member of the
Plant Health Professional Register, this CPD contributes to maintaining your registration.
