tessa reid

Science

Tessa Reid

Soil Microbiology - Post Doctoral Researcher

Sustainable Soils and Crops

PUBLICATIONS
Location
Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ
Tel
+44 (0) 1582 763133 2726
Email
tessa.reid@rothamsted.ac.uk
Professional Platforms
Twitter
LinkedIn
ORCID
ResearchGate

Biography

Tessa is a dedicated researcher in the field of plant-microbe interactions and sustainable agricultural intensification. Her work aims to better understand the impact of plant selection during domestication on crop-associated microbiota and to develop future cultivars that promote beneficial agricultural plant-microbe interactions.


In addition to her ongoing research, Tessa is also involved in the Sustainable Agriculture for Africa project. In this collaborative effort, she works to analyse large amplicon sequence datasets to understand how environmental factors affect the plant microbiome across different regions of Morocco. This research contributes to the development of microbiome assisted agricultural products and sustainable agricultural practices.


During her PhD, Tessa studied domestication impacts on beneficial plant-microbe interactions in wheat, in a joint project between Rothamsted Research and Cranfield University. Prior to this, Tessa earned a Masters by Research degree from the University of Exeter, where she researched the development of fourth generation microbially generated biofuels from agricultural waste. Her research included a placement at the Shell Technology Center Houston, providing her with a strong foundation in both academic and industrial research.


Tessa's passion for plant growth-promoting soil microbes and sustainable agricultural practices is evident in her research. Her work aims to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
 

Strategic Programme

  • Growing Health

Science Projects

  • Soil 2 Nutrition (S2N) Work Package 1: Optimising nutrient flows and pools in the soil-plant-biota system
  • Sustainable Agriculture for Africa (SAFA)

PhD Projects

  • Has plant breeding decoupled beneficial plant-microbiome interactions in wheat?

Awards

  • 2018-2022: Doctor of Philosophy degree in Microbial Ecology, Cranfield University
  • 2016-2018: Master’s by Research Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Exeter
  • 2013-2016: Bachelor of Science honours degree in Biology, University of Exeter

Measures of Esteem

Assistant PhD Supervisor to Katerina Velchova: Plant microbiome role in biofortification practises for major crops using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant.

2024: Poster Award, SAFA Workshop 2024, UM6P, Morroco
2022: Selected participant for the FEMS Summer School for Postdocs
2021: Best Presentation Award, International Conference on Environmental Microbiology
2020: STEM Ambassador 15 hours of outreach engagement
2019: FEMS Microbiology Letters Poster Prize, MMEG19 Conference
2017: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Certification, University of Exeter