Updates on our research, collaborations and exciting contributions from the scientists and experts at The James Hutton Institute.
You can also stay connected with our science by following us on social media, by following us, you’ll get real-time updates on our projects, events, and collaborations. Follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook now.
Dimitris was awarded a Bsc in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the National University of Technology in Athens (Greece) before
Debbie is a research assistant in the Ecological Sciences group. Her background is in environmental conservation. She completed a BSc
I am an Honorary Associate of the Institute. As a staff member I supported scientists providing technical input to a variety of research projects. I also managed the Plant Growth facilities at the Craigiebuckler site for the past 20 years and have extensive knowledge of the capabilities, set up and the maintenance of the equipment.
Lucinda works in the Ecological Sciences department as a molecular microbiologist. Lucinda joined the Institute in 2007 as a research assistant in the Molecular Microbiology lab. She initially worked in the Soils group preparing and analysing soil DNA for the National Soils Inventory of Scotland (NSIS), and then moved to the Ecological Sciences department in 2015.
Gaynor Malloch is a Research Scientist working within the entomology team led by agroecologist Alison Karley, collaborating in studying pest
My research interests span several areas of animal ecology and have included population ecology, nutritional constraints on reproduction and fitness and other interactions between animals and their environment. Previous studies have involved a range of species from mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians. I do not, however, currently have significant active research input to the Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme (SRP).
I completed my PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Dundee in 1990, and then over the next 10 years worked as a World Bank-consultant in Brazil and the Philippines where I specialised in the localisation of N-fixing bacteria in sugarcane and rice using electron microscopy.
I am a socio-ecologist with experience in working in a wide range of countries including the UK overseas territories and the Balkans. My early research career focused on the consevation biology of rare and globally threatened island floras. However, after years of practical conservation experience with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Fauna and Flora International, the need for more integrated solutions to biodiversity conservation, and the need to better understand the complex dynamics of human-ecosystem interactions become more and more apparent to me.
Soil is critical for food production but can often be poorly managed resulting in erosion and physical degradation. Research I perform ranges from soil stabilisation, physics, and root mechanics, to the development of tools and approaches for the quantification of soil condition. Understanding the services required of soil in the future, and soils ability to deliver these services, will be vital in managing soils to be resilient under changing environmental conditions.
Clare is a Research Assistant in the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Group within the Ecological Sciences. She has over 25 years’ experience in soil microbial ecology, using both phospholipid fatty acid analysis and physiological profiling methods to assess structure and function of soil microbial communities. Clare was jointly responsible for the development of MicroResp™ and is responsible for managing the commercial aspects of the MicroResp™ product for James Hutton Limited.
