Future plant pathologists showcase research at BSPP Summer Student Symposium 2025
On Friday 19th September 2025, BSPP hosted the Summer Student Symposium, a half-day online event where undergraduates funded by the Undergraduate Vacation Bursary (UVB) shared their summer research. Talks were pre-recorded seven-minute presentations, with live Q&A, chaired by Dr Athina Koutouleas (BSPP Education Secretary).
The UVB scheme offers undergraduates 6 – 8 weeks of funded research in plant pathology, giving hands-on experience in laboratories or, for remote projects, in areas such as bioinformatics, modelling, and literature reviews.
Session 1 Highlights
Grace Brookman explored Rhizoctonia cerealis, tracing its prevalence, history, and fungicide sensitivity.
Johanna Stratford investigated the mechanisms driving extreme dormancy in potato cyst nematodes.
Jasper Zietlow applied AI approaches to predict cross-kingdom interactions at the plant–pathogen interface.
Ananya Yadav examined the complexities of vector-virus-crop interactions.
Joseph Vyvyan-Jones linked phenotypic and genomic insights to understand thermal adaptation in Zymoseptoria tritici.
Evelyn Thompson asked how Z. tritici causes disease on wheat, focusing on the molecular basis of infection.
Clementine Brannigan showed how leaf surface properties shape microbial populations in the barley phyllosphere.
Session 2 Highlights
Daisy Garratt reported on the threat to oilseed rape from the emerging phoma stem canker pathogen Leptosphaeria biglobosa ‘canadensis’.
Edward Holtom studied divergent membrane trafficking of plant immune receptors.
Lowri Wigley examined how helitrons contribute to the emergence of novel Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae isolates.
Alexander Andersson explored the role of bacterial endosymbionts in aphid transmission of Barley yellow dwarf virus.
Lois Rehin compared how parasitic root galls and symbiotic nodules manipulate plant organ development.
Emily Snaddon (NA) asked whether Z. tritici hijacks host hormone signalling.
Kiko Wadhams uncovered how microbial interactions in the wheat phyllosphere influence Z. tritici pathogenicity.
Lidija Basic (NA) investigated the role of a unique iron acquisition system in the virulence of Pectobacterium atrosepticum.
The symposium highlighted the breadth of undergraduate contributions to plant pathology, from fundamental molecular studies to applied research on crop pathogens and field ecology. Students demonstrated creativity, technical skill, and resilience in tackling complex questions within a short timeframe.
Anonymous voting allowed participants to recognise standout talks, though results were not shared during the meeting.
Get Involved
The BSPP thanks all supervisors, mentors, and students who made this year’s symposium a success.
Explore previous student reports: 2023
Watch student vlogs: 2025
For enquiries about the Undergraduate Vacation Bursary 2026
