Professor Stephen A Rolfe

School of Biosciences

Professor of Plant and Microbial Science

s.rolfe@sheffield.ac.uk
D65, Alfred Denny Building

Full contact details

Professor Stephen A Rolfe
School of Biosciences
D65
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile
  • BSc (1984) Imperial College of Science and Technology, London
  • PhD (1988) University of Cambridge
  • European Molecular Biology Fellow, University of California Los Angeles (1988-1991)
  • Lecturer, Dept. Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield (1991-2003)
  • Senior Lecturer, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield (2004-2022)
  • Director of Teaching, Dept. Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield (2008-2015)
  • Professor, Chair in Plant Science, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield (2022-present)
Research interests

My research focuses on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses using biological imaging techniques. I lead the P3 Wolfson Centre for Plant Disease Phenomics where we use high-throughput imaging to explore quantitative resistance to plant diseases. We use chlorophyll fluorescence and multi-spectral imaging to quantify disease development and the impact on host plants.

Current projects are focussed on diseases of Brassicas including clubroot and light leaf spot. My group also looks at microbial communities in natural environments using metagenomic approaches. This includes plant pathogen populations but also the root microbiome and degradation of xenobiotics in contaminated environments. Work in my group is funded by the BBSRC, the Wolfson Foundation, Bayer Crop Sciences, Shell Aviation and Airbus.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Nicholls HCG, Mallinson HEH, Rolfe SA, Hjort M, Spence MJ & Thornton SF (2020) . Journal of Hazardous Materials, 388.
  • Cotton TEA, Pétriacq P, Cameron DD, Meselmani MA, Schwarzenbacher R, Rolfe SA & Ton J (2019) . The ISME Journal, 13, 1647-1658.
  • Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Baillie AL, Dunn J, Wilson MJ, Hunt L, Pajor R, Fradera-Soler M, Rolfe S, Osborne CP , Sturrock CJ et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10(1).
  • Olszak M, Truman W, Stefanowicz K, Sliwinska E, Ito M, Walerowski P, Rolfe S & Malinowski R (2019) . The Plant Journal, 97(4), 715-729.
  • Walerowski P, Gündel A, Yahaya N, Truman W, Sobczak M, Olszak M, Rolfe S, Borisjuk L & Malinowski R (2018) . The Plant Cell, 30(12), 3058-3073.
  • Rolfe SA, Strelkov SE, Links MG, Clarke WE, Robinson SJ, Djavaheri M, Malinowski R, Haddadi P, Kagale S, Parkin IA , Taheri A et al (2016) . BMC Genomics, 17.
  • Malinowski R, Novák O, Borhan MH, Spíchal L, Strnad M & Rolfe SA (2016) . European Journal of Plant Pathology, 145(3), 543-557.
  • Hedbavna P, Rolfe SA, Huang WE & Thornton SF (2016) . Bioresource Technology, 200, 426-434.
  • Healy MG, Barrett M, Lanigan GJ, João Serrenho A, Ibrahim TG, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Huang WE & Fenton O (2015) . Ecological Engineering, 74, 290-301.
  • Thornton SF, Baker KM, Bottrell SH, Rolfe SA, McNamee P, Forrest F, Duffield P, Wilson RD, Fairburn AW & Cieslak LA (2014) . Applied Geochemistry, 48, 28-40.
  • Rizoulis A, Elliott DR, Rolfe SA, Thornton SF, Banwart SA, Pickup RW & Scholes JD (2013) . Microbial Ecology, 66(1), 84-95.
  • Pajor R, Fleming A, Osborne CP, Rolfe SA, Sturrock CJ & Mooney SJ (2013) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 64(2), 385-390.
  • Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant J, 71(2), 226-238.
  • Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant Journal, 71(2), 226-238.
  • Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2010) . Protoplasma, 247(3-4), 163-175.
  • Andrews JS, Rolfe SA, Huang WE, Scholes JD & Banwart SA (2010) . Environ Microbiol, 12(9), 2496-2507.
  • Elliott DR, Scholes JD, Thornton SF, Rizoulis A, Banwart SA & Rolfe SA (2010) . FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 71(2), 247-259.
  • Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2009) . FUNCT PLANT BIOL, 36(10-11), 880-892.
  • Kocabek T, Svoboda Z, Al-Zwi AM, Rolfe SA & Fellner M (2009) . ENVIRON EXP BOT, 67(1), 101-111.
  • Janacek SH, Trenkamp S, Palmer B, Brown NJ, Parsley K, Stanley S, Astley HM, Rolfe SA, Quick WP, Fernie AR & Hibberd JM (2009) . PLANT J, 59(2), 329-343.
  • Ludwig-Muller J, Prinsen E, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2009) . J PLANT GROWTH REGUL, 28(3), 229-244.
  • Quilliam RS, Swarbrick PJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2006) . J Exp Bot, 57(1), 55-69.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Read DJ & Rolfe SA (2005) . New Phytol, 167(3), 881-896.
  • Baxter CJ, Foyer CH, Turner J, Rolfe SA & Quick WP (2003) . J Exp Bot, 54(389), 1813-1820.
  • Walters RG, Shephard F, Rogers JJM, Rolfe SA & Horton P (2003) . Plant Physiol, 131(2), 472-481.
  • Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2002) . Photosynth Res, 72(1), 107-115.
  • Shaikh NU, Quick WP & Rolfe SA (2000) The base of the leaf acts as a localized sink for photosynthate in mature barley leaves. NEW PHYTOL, 148(2), 257-266.
  • Chou HM, Bundock N, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2000) . Mol Plant Pathol, 1(2), 99-113.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Read DJ & Rolfe SA (2000) Changes in carbon allocation and expression of carbon transporter genes in Betula pendula Roth. colonized by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr.. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 23(1), 39-49.
  • Tang X, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (1996) The effect of Albugo candida (white blister rust) on the photosynthetic and carbohydrate metabolism of leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 19(8), 967-975.
  • Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (1996) Photosynthesis in localised regions of oat leaves infected with crown rust (Puccinia coronata): Quantitative imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence. PLANTA, 199(4), 573-582.
  • Tang X, Ruffner HP, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (1996) . Planta, 198(1), 17-23.
  • ROLFE SA & SCHOLES JD (1995) QUANTITATIVE IMAGING OF CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE. NEW PHYTOL, 131(1), 69-79.

All publications

Books

  • (2005) . Cambridge University Press.
  • Öpik H & Rolfe SA (2005) . Cambridge University Press.

Journal articles

  • Mujica-Alarcon JF, Gomez-Bolivar J, Barnes J, Chronopoulou M, Ojeda JJ, Thornton SF & Rolfe SA (2025) . Biofouling, 41(3), 265-282.
  • Nicholls HCG, Mallinson HE, Thornton SF, Hjort M & Rolfe SA (2024) . Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, 44(4), 92-103.
  • Gómez-Bolívar J, Warburton MP, Mumford AD, Mujica-Alarcón JF, Anguilano L, Onwukwe U, Barnes J, Chronopoulou M, Ju-Nam Y, Thornton SF , Rolfe SA et al (2024) . Langmuir, 40(7), 3429-3439.
  • Thornton S (2024) . Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(11), 16150-16163.
  • Lawson T, Rolfe S, Bray G & Hofmann TA (2024) Genes to ‘phenes’ To truly unlock the potential of plants, genomic and molecular advances need to be supported by high-tech plant phenotyping. Biologist, 71(3).
  • Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Hjort M, Spence MJ, Bonte M & Thornton SF (2022) . Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 1223-1238.
  • Jackson P, Cameron D, Rolfe S, Dicks LV, Leake J, Caton S, Dye L, Young W, Choudhary S, Evans D , Adolphus K et al (2021) . Nutrition Bulletin, 46(4), 497-505.
  • Morales-García AL, Walton R, Blakeman JT, Banwart SA, Harding JH, Geoghegan M, Freeman CL & Rolfe SA (2021) . Langmuir, 37(32), 9838-9850.
  • Mujica-Alarcon JF, Thornton SF & Rolfe SA (2021) . Environmental Pollution, 277.
  • Yassin M, Ton J, Rolfe SA, Valentine TA, Cromey M, Holden N & Newton AC (2021) . Pest Management Science, 77(9), 3900-3909.
  • Paparokidou C, Leake JR, Beerling DJ & Rolfe SA (2021) . Mycorrhiza, 31(1), 69-83.
  • Soria RI, Rolfe SA, Betancourth MP & Thornton SF (2020) . Heliyon, 6(11).
  • Nicholls HCG, Mallinson HEH, Rolfe SA, Hjort M, Spence MJ & Thornton SF (2020) . Journal of Hazardous Materials, 388.
  • Clagnan E, Rolfe SA, Thornton SF, Krol D, Richards KG, Lanigan G, Tuohy P & Fenton O (2020) . Soil and Tillage Research, 198, 104543-104543.
  • Thornton SF, Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH & Spence MJ (2020) . Journal of Hazardous Materials, 391.
  • Rolfe SA, Griffiths J & Ton J (2019) . Current Opinion in Microbiology, 49, 73-82.
  • Clagnan E, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Wells NS, Knoeller K, Murphy J, Tuohy P, Daly K, Healy MG, Ezzati G , von Chamier J et al (2019) . PLoS ONE, 14(7).
  • Cotton TEA, Pétriacq P, Cameron DD, Meselmani MA, Schwarzenbacher R, Rolfe SA & Ton J (2019) . The ISME Journal, 13, 1647-1658.
  • Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Baillie AL, Dunn J, Wilson MJ, Hunt L, Pajor R, Fradera-Soler M, Rolfe S, Osborne CP , Sturrock CJ et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10(1).
  • Corona-Lopez DDJ, Sommer S, Rolfe SA, Podd F & Grieve BD (2019) . Plant Methods, 15(1).
  • Olszak M, Truman W, Stefanowicz K, Sliwinska E, Ito M, Walerowski P, Rolfe S & Malinowski R (2019) . The Plant Journal, 97(4), 715-729.
  • Veys C, Chatziavgerinos F, AlSuwaidi A, Hibbert J, Hansen M, Bernotas G, Smith M, Yin H, Rolfe S & Grieve B (2019) . Plant Methods, 15.
  • Walerowski P, Gündel A, Yahaya N, Truman W, Sobczak M, Olszak M, Rolfe S, Borisjuk L & Malinowski R (2018) . The Plant Cell, 30(12), 3058-3073.
  • Clagnan E, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Wells NS, Knoeller K & Fenton O (2018) . Agricultural Water Management, 203, 1-8.
  • Clagnan E, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Tuohy P, Peyton D, Wells NS & Fenton O (2018) . Journal of Environmental Management, 206, 1028-1038.
  • Lehmeier C, Pajor R, Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Sloan J, Bauch M, Mitchell A, Bellasio C, Green A, Bouyer D , Schnittger A et al (2017) . Plant Journal, 92(6), 981-994.
  • Pétriacq P, Williams A, Cotton A, McFarlane AE, Rolfe SA & Ton J (2017) . The Plant Journal, 92(1), 147-162.
  • Yahaya N, Petriacq P, Burrell M, Walker H, Malinowski R & Rolfe S (2017) . Advanced Science Letters, 23(5), 4623-4626.
  • Rolfe SA, Strelkov SE, Links MG, Clarke WE, Robinson SJ, Djavaheri M, Malinowski R, Haddadi P, Kagale S, Parkin IA , Taheri A et al (2016) . BMC Genomics, 17.
  • Malinowski R, Novák O, Borhan MH, Spíchal L, Strnad M & Rolfe SA (2016) . European Journal of Plant Pathology, 145(3), 543-557.
  • van Campen J, Yaapar MN, Narawatthana S, Lehmeier C, Wanchana S, Thakur V, Chater C, Kelly S, Rolfe SA, Quick WP & Fleming AJ (2016) . Plant Physiology, 170(3), 1655-1674.
  • Hedbavna P, Rolfe SA, Huang WE & Thornton SF (2016) . Bioresource Technology, 200, 426-434.
  • Healy MG, Barrett M, Lanigan GJ, João Serrenho A, Ibrahim TG, Thornton SF, Rolfe SA, Huang WE & Fenton O (2015) . Ecological Engineering, 74, 290-301.
  • Thornton SF, Baker KM, Bottrell SH, Rolfe SA, McNamee P, Forrest F, Duffield P, Wilson RD, Fairburn AW & Cieslak LA (2014) . Applied Geochemistry, 48, 28-40.
  • Dorca-Fornell C, Lehmeier C, Pérez-Bueno M, Bauch M, Sloan J, Osborne C, Rolfe S, Fleming A, Pajor R, Sturrock C & Mooney S (2013) . Plant Journal, 76(6), 914-929.
  • Rizoulis A, Elliott DR, Rolfe SA, Thornton SF, Banwart SA, Pickup RW & Scholes JD (2013) . Microbial Ecology, 66(1), 84-95.
  • Pajor R, Fleming A, Osborne CP, Rolfe SA, Sturrock CJ & Mooney SJ (2013) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 64(2), 385-390.
  • Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant J, 71(2), 226-238.
  • Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant Journal, 71(2), 226-238.
  • Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhou Q, Huang S, Ning K, Xu J, Kalin RM, Rolfe S & Huang WE (2012) . PLoS One, 7(10).
  • Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2010) . Protoplasma, 247(3-4), 163-175.
  • Andrews JS, Rolfe SA, Huang WE, Scholes JD & Banwart SA (2010) . Environ Microbiol, 12(9), 2496-2507.
  • Elliott DR, Scholes JD, Thornton SF, Rizoulis A, Banwart SA & Rolfe SA (2010) . FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 71(2), 247-259.
  • Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2009) . FUNCT PLANT BIOL, 36(10-11), 880-892.
  • Kocabek T, Svoboda Z, Al-Zwi AM, Rolfe SA & Fellner M (2009) . ENVIRON EXP BOT, 67(1), 101-111.
  • Janacek SH, Trenkamp S, Palmer B, Brown NJ, Parsley K, Stanley S, Astley HM, Rolfe SA, Quick WP, Fernie AR & Hibberd JM (2009) . PLANT J, 59(2), 329-343.
  • Ludwig-Muller J, Prinsen E, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2009) . J PLANT GROWTH REGUL, 28(3), 229-244.
  • Geoghegan M, Andrews JS, Biggs CA, Eboigbodin KE, Elliott DR, Rolfe S, Scholes J, Ojeda JJ, Romero-Gonzales ME, Edyvean RGJ , Swanson L et al (2008) . Faraday Discussions, 139, 85-103.
  • Rolfe S (2006) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 57(1), 24-24.
  • Quilliam RS, Swarbrick PJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2006) . J Exp Bot, 57(1), 55-69.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Read DJ & Rolfe SA (2005) . New Phytol, 167(3), 881-896.
  • Baxter CJ, Foyer CH, Turner J, Rolfe SA & Quick WP (2003) . J Exp Bot, 54(389), 1813-1820.
  • Walters RG, Shephard F, Rogers JJM, Rolfe SA & Horton P (2003) . Plant Physiol, 131(2), 472-481.
  • Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2002) . Photosynth Res, 72(1), 107-115.
  • R. Bahrami A, Rolfe S, Price C & Gray JE (2002) . The Plant Journal, 30(6), 691-698.
  • Shaikh NU, Quick WP & Rolfe SA (2000) The base of the leaf acts as a localized sink for photosynthate in mature barley leaves. NEW PHYTOL, 148(2), 257-266.
  • Chou HM, Bundock N, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2000) . Mol Plant Pathol, 1(2), 99-113.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Read DJ & Rolfe SA (2000) Changes in carbon allocation and expression of carbon transporter genes in Betula pendula Roth. colonized by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr.. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 23(1), 39-49.
  • Tang X, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (1996) The effect of Albugo candida (white blister rust) on the photosynthetic and carbohydrate metabolism of leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 19(8), 967-975.
  • Scholes J, Bundock N, Wilde R & Rolfe S (1996) . Planta, 200(2).
  • Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (1996) Photosynthesis in localised regions of oat leaves infected with crown rust (Puccinia coronata): Quantitative imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence. PLANTA, 199(4), 573-582.
  • Tang X, Ruffner HP, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (1996) . Planta, 198(1), 17-23.
  • ROLFE SA & SCHOLES JD (1995) QUANTITATIVE IMAGING OF CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE. NEW PHYTOL, 131(1), 69-79.
  • Rolfe SA & Tobin EM (1991) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 88(7), 2683-2686.
  • Silverthorne J, Wimpee CF, Yamada T, Rolfe SA & Tobin EM (1990) . Plant Molecular Biology, 15(1), 49-58.
  • Rolfe SA & Bendall DS (1989) . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 973(2), 220-226.
  • Rolfe SA, Sanguansermsri M & Bendall DS (1987) . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, 894(3), 434-442.
  • (1987) , 259-273.
  • Wright HC, Wilkinson SW, Morgan CW, Rolfe SA, Cameron DD & Ryan AJ () . Frontiers in Horticulture, 4.

Book chapters

  • Thornton SF, Morgan P & Rolfe SA (2016) , Springer Protocols Handbooks (pp. 11-64). Springer Berlin Heidelberg
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 246-269). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 161-176). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 205-220). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 133-158). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 344-372). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 1-6). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 177-204). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 9-59). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 318-343). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 60-99). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 100-132). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 270-317). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) , The Physiology of Flowering Plants (pp. 221-245). Cambridge University Press
  • (2005) (pp. 373-375). Cambridge University Press
  • Tobin EM, Brusslan JA, Buzby JA, Karlin-Neumann GA, Kehoe DM, Okubara PA, Rolfe SA, Sun L & Weatherwax SC (1991) , Plant Molecular Biology 2 (pp. 509-517). Springer US
  • Tobin EM, Brusslan JA, Buzby JS, Karlin-Neumann GA, Kehoe DM, Okubara PA, Rolfe SA, Sun L & Yamada T (1991) , Phytochrome Properties and Biological Action (pp. 167-179). Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Conference proceedings

  • Stassen J, Chatziavgerinos F, Ton J, Voigt C & Rolfe S (2019) . Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Vol. 32(10S) (pp 26-26). Glasgow, Scotland, 14 July 2019 - 14 July 2019.
  • Yassin M, Moffat EK, Stassen J, Rolfe S, Cromey M, Holden N, Valentine TA, Newton AC & Ton J (2019) . Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Vol. 32(10) (pp S1.32-S1.32). Glasgow, Scotland, 14 July 2019 - 14 July 2019.
  • Moffat EK, Yassin M, Rolfe S, Stassen J & Ton J (2019) The impacts of quantitative disease resistance on downy mildew epidemiology in mixed host populations. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS, Vol. 32(10) (pp 19-19)
  • McFarlane A, Thornton S & Rolfe S (2015) How will novel fuels and materials impact microbial contamination in aircraft fuel systems?. Iash 2015 14th International Symposium on Stability Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels
  • Hall AR, Garcia ALM, Eley AR, Rogers ME, Rolfe SA & Geoghegan M (2011) The study of cells using scanning force microscopy. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 40 (pp 149-149)
  • Morales-Garcia AL, Hall AR, Althagafi T, Geoghegan M & Rolfe SA (2011) SFM study of bacterial cell walls. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 40 (pp 151-151)
  • Romero-Gonzales ME, Zhang Z, Andrews JS, Geoghegan M, Swanson L, Scholes J, Rolfe S & Banwart SA (2010) Interactions at cell-mineral interface. Goldschmidt 2010: Earth, Energy, and the Environment (pp A880-A880). Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
  • Andrews JS, Pouran HM, Scholes J, Rolfe SA & Banwart SA (2009) Multi-factorial analysis of surface interactions in single species environmental bacteria and model surfaces. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, Vol. 73(13) (pp A44-A44)
  • Baker K, Bridge J, Brown D, Rolfe S, Scholes J, Edyvean R & Banwart S (2009) Mineral-specific attachment of sulphate-reducing bacterial consortia: combined experimental and xDLVO modelling approach. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, Vol. 73(13) (pp A76-A76)
  • Baxter CJ, Foyer CH, Rolfe SA & Quick WP (2001) A comparison of the carbohydrate composition and kinetic properties of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves expressing maize SPS protein with untransformed controls. ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Vol. 138(1) (pp 47-55)

Preprints

  • Hannan Parker A, Zhang P, Man KY, Tirot L, Rolfe SA, Smith LM, Wilkinson SW & Ton J (2025) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Wright HC, Wilkinson SW, Rolfe SA, Cameron DD & Ryan AJ (2025) , Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
  • Hõrak H, Rolfe SA, Ton J & Gray JE (2023) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Research group
  • Luke Cartwright
  • Elisa Clagnan
  • Juan Mujica
  • Raisa Raisa
  • Christina Paparokidou
  • Sarah Sommer
  • Fokion Chatziavgerinos
Teaching activities

Dr Stephen Rolfe won the Departmental Teacher of Year award in 2007.

At level 1, I am module coordinator for  Skills for Biologists 1 with responsibility for the IT aspects of the course.

At level 2 I teach  Plant, Cell & Environment and  Biotechnology and Food. These modules reflect my long–standing interest in plant molecular biology, physiology and biochemistry and cover everything from the perception of light by plants through to the adoption of GM crops in modern agriculture. This theme continues in level 3 where I teach  Environmental Regulation in Plants.

In recent years my research has expanded to consider environmental microbiology, particularly contaminated environments. I teach the module  Life in Extreme Environments where I cover everything from life in hot springs, deep sea vents, other planets (maybe…) to contaminated aquifers in Wolverhampton! I am also very interested in the ethics of biology and how this affects wider society. The module  Biology and Ethics covers a wide range of ethical areas from the impact of advances in genomic sequencing on individuals rights through to patents and Intellectual Property Rights and how they affect developments in agriculture. The aim of this course is to introduce students to key ethical issues but then let them explore topics that are of particular interest or relevance to them.

I have supervised a number of level 4 MBiolSci students – for example last year Joanna Scales examined how clubroot, a disease of Brassicas, alters developmental pathways in its host.

Professional activities and memberships
  • External examiner Reading University (2014-2016)
  • External examiner SRUC (Scotland's Rural College), Edinburgh, UK (2016-present)