Sebastian Eves-van den Akker is one of our ’40 Faces of Plant Pathology’
BSPP members can be found in 51 different countries, with 30% of members based in countries outside of the UK. As part of the BSPPs 40th anniversary, we asked our membership to describe some things about themselves, what plant pathology challenges they would most like to see solved, and what could improve the world of plant pathology in terms of inclusivity. Click here to return to 40 Faces Home Page.
Sebastian Eves-van den Akker
Institution and country of residence
United Kingdom
Position title
Head of Group
Area of expertise/study
The overarching theme of our group is to combine genomics and molecular biology to understand fundamental questions in host:parasite biology. We primarily focus on plant-parasitic nematodes because: i) they are a threat to food security in developed and developing countries, and ii) underlying this threat is a wealth of fascinating biology that until very recently has been largely unexplorable.
About your early experiences in education
I did not do particularly well in early education, however, as soon as I got to University I found something I enjoyed tremendously: research.
If you could solve one problem in plant pathology, what would it be?
If I could solve one problem in plant pathology, personally, it would be to deliver functional genetics to plant-parasitic nematodes. The impact this would have on the field, and the routes to control, are difficult to overstate.
If you could solve one issue relating to inclusivity and diversity within the field of plant pathology what would it be?
Equitable representation at all levels.
If you weren’t a plant pathologist, what would you be?
If I wasn’t a plant pathologist I would probably be some other kind of plant-scientist/geneticist.
