The British Society for Plant Pathology is pleased to recognise John Carr as this year’s new Honorary Member. His career has significantly advanced our understanding of plant pathogen interactions and defensive signalling in plants.
After completing a Biochemistry degree at the University of Liverpool, his early research focused on pathogenesis-related proteins during a formative period in plant defence research. This work built upon pioneering discoveries demonstrating that salicylic acid could induce resistance responses in plants, research that helped shape today’s understanding of plant immune signalling.
Subsequent postdoctoral research in the laboratories of Dan Klessig and Milt Zaitlin further explored gene expression in response to virus infection. It contributed to early insights into salicylic acid as a natural endogenous defence signal. His later work at the University of Cambridge investigated defensive signal transduction pathways, virus–plant interactions, and the complex relationships between plants, viruses and insect vectors such as aphids, alongside beneficial insects including pollinators.
Throughout John’s career, collaboration and mentorship have played a central role, alongside long-standing contributions to the BSPP community. In accepting the Honorary Membership, He expressed gratitude for the Society’s continued support and for fostering a strong and welcoming network of plant pathologists.
Members can read the full Honorary Member article here
