Professor Julie Scholes

School of Biosciences

Emeritus Professor of Plant and Microbial Sciences

Julie Scholes
Profile picture of Julie Scholes
j.scholes@sheffield.ac.uk
Alfred Denny Building

Full contact details

Professor Julie Scholes
School of Biosciences
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
Profile

Career

  • Emeritus Professor of Plant and Microbial Sciences, University of Sheffield (2020 – present).
  • Professor of Plant and Microbial Sciences, University of Sheffield (2003 –
  • 2020).
  • Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield (1995 – 2003).
  • Royal Society University Research Fellow, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield (1987 – 1995).
  • Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellow, Department of Botany, University of Sheffield (1986 – 1987).
Qualifications

BSc (1982) PhD (1986) University of Wales.

Research interests

My research group focuses on understanding the physiological and molecular interactions between plants and their symbionts, including fungal pathogens, mycorrhizal fungi and root parasitic weeds of the Orobanchaceae family. A specific focus of my research is the parasitic witchweed Striga. Striga hermonthica and S.asiatica infect the staple cereal crops of sub-Saharan Africa including maize, sorghum, millet and upland rice, causing devastating losses in yield.

Our work spans from the molecular to the applied and encompasses laboratory studies and field trials, the latter in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. We exploit physiological, genomic, comparative genomic, quantitative genetic and molecular approaches to identify genes underlying resistance in cereals to different genetic ecotypes of Striga species and to identify virulence/effector genes in the parasite. We have recently published the first the S. hermonthica genome (Qiu et al., 2022). The ultimate aim of this work is to understand the molecular basis of host-parasite specificity, which is essential for delaying the evolution of virulence in the parasite and to enable predictive breeding of durable defence.

Field trial of Striga-resistance
Field trial of Striga-resistance in rice varieties at Mbita Point, Kenya
Striga plant with pink flowers
Striga hermonthica
Publications

Journal articles

  • Bradley JM, Butlin RK & Scholes JD (2024) . BMC Plant Biology, 24(1).
  • Qiu S, Bradley JM, Zhang P, Chaudhuri R, Blaxter M, Butlin RK & Scholes JD (2022) . New Phytologist.
  • Scott D, Scholes JD, Randrianjafizanaka MT, Randriamampianina JA, Autfray P & Freckleton RP (2021) . Ecology and Evolution, 11(19), 13579-13592.
  • Bouwmeester H, Sinha N & Scholes J (2021) . Plant Physiology, 185(4), 1267-1269.
  • Scott D, Scholes JD, Randrianjafizanaka MT, Randriamampianina JA, Autfray P & Freckleton RP (2020) . Weed Research.
  • Bunsick M, Toh S, Wong C, Xu Z, Ly G, McErlean C, Pescetto G, Nemrish K, Sung P, Li J , Scholes J et al (2020) . Nature Plants.
  • Waweru DN, Kuria EK, Bradley JM, Scholes JD & Runo S (2019) . Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 138(2), 247-256.
  • Beerling DJ, Leake JR, Long SP, Scholes JD, Ton J, Nelson PN, Bird M, Kantzas E, Taylor LL, Sarkar B , Kelland M et al (2018) . Nature Plants, 4(6), 392-392.
  • Beerling DJ, Leake JR, Long SP, Scholes JD, Ton J, Nelson PN, Bird M, Kantzas E, Taylor LL, Sarkar B , Kelland M et al (2018) . Nature Plants, 4, 138-147.
  • Rodenburg J, Cissoko M, Kayongo N, Dieng I, Bisikwa J, Irakiza R, Masoka I, Midega CAO & Scholes JD (2017) . New Phytologist, 214(3), 1267-1280.
  • Edwards DP, Lim F, James RH, Pearce CR, Scholes J, Freckleton RP & Beerling DJ (2017) . Biology Letters, 13(4).
  • Brearley FQ, Saner P, Uchida A, Burslem DFRP, Hector A, Nilus R, Scholes JD & Egli S (2017) . Plant Ecology & Diversity, 9(5-6), 563-576.
  • Luna E, Beardon E, Ravnskov S, Scholes J & Ton J (2016) . PLANT DISEASE, 100(4), 704-710.
  • Rodenburg J, Cissoko M, Kayeke J, Dieng I, Khan ZR, Midega CA, Onyuka EA & Scholes JD (2015) . Field Crops Res, 170, 83-94.
  • Rizoulis A, Elliott DR, Rolfe SA, Thornton SF, Banwart SA, Pickup RW & Scholes JD (2013) . Microbial Ecology, 66(1), 84-95.
  • Runo S, Macharia S, Alakonya A, Machuka J, Sinha N & Scholes J (2012) . Plant Methods, 8(1), 20.
  • Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant Journal, 71(2), 226-238.
  • Huang K, Whitlock R, Press MC & Scholes JD (2012) . Heredity (Edinb), 108(2), 96-104.
  • Bagchi R, Philipson CD, Slade EM, Hector A, Phillips S, Villanueva JF, Lewis OT, Lyal CHC, Nilus R, Madran A , Scholes JD et al (2011) . Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 366(1582), 3246-3255.
  • Cissoko M, Boisnard A, Rodenburg J, Press MC & Scholes JD (2011) . New Phytol, 192(4), 952-963.
  • 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.
  • Yoder JI & Scholes JD (2010) . Curr Opin Plant Biol, 13(4), 478-484.
  • Hooper AM, Tsanuo MK, Chamberlain K, Tittcomb K, Scholes J, Hassanali A, Khan ZR & Pickett JA (2010) . Phytochemistry, 71(8-9), 904-908.
  • Bagchi R, Press MC & Scholes JD (2010) . Ecol Lett, 13(1), 51-59.
  • Elliott DR, Scholes JD, Thornton SF, Rizoulis A, Banwart SA & Rolfe SA (2010) . FEMS Microbiol Ecol, 71(2), 247-259.
  • Ludwig-Muller J, Prinsen E, Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2009) . J PLANT GROWTH REGUL, 28(3), 229-244.
  • Swarbrick PJ, Scholes JD, Press MC & Slate J (2009) . Pest Manag Sci, 65(5), 528-532.
  • Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2009) . FUNCT PLANT BIOL, 36(10-11), 880-892.
  • Swarbrick PJ, Huang K, Liu G, Slate J, Press MC & Scholes JD (2008) . New Phytol, 179(2), 515-529.
  • Scholes JD & Press MC (2008) . Curr Opin Plant Biol, 11(2), 180-186.
  • 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.
  • Brearley FQ, Scholes JD, Press MC & Palfner G (2007) . PLANT ECOL, 192(2), 237-249.
  • Swarbrick PJ, Schulze-Lefert P & Scholes JD (2006) . Plant Cell Environ, 29(6), 1061-1076.
  • Quilliam RS, Swarbrick PJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2006) . J Exp Bot, 57(1), 55-69.
  • Gurney AL, Slate J, Press MC & Scholes JD (2006) . New Phytol, 169(1), 199-208.
  • Vasey RA, Scholes JD & Press MC (2005) . Phytopathology, 95(11), 1294-1300.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Read DJ & Rolfe SA (2005) . New Phytol, 167(3), 881-896.
  • PÉREZ-DE-LUQUE A, RUBIALES D, CUBERO JI, PRESS MC, SCHOLES J, YONEYAMA K, TAKEUCHI Y, PLAKHINE D & JOEL DM (2005) . Annals of Botany, 95(6), 935-942.
  • Brearley FQ, Scholes JD & Su See L (2005) . Res Microbiol, 156(2), 184-190.
  • Leakey ADB, Scholes JD & Press MC (2005) . J Exp Bot, 56(411), 469-482.
  • Rank C, Rasmussen LS, Jensen SR, Pierce S, Press MC & Scholes JD (2004) Cytotoxic constituents of Alectra and Striga species. WEED RES, 44(4), 265-270.
  • Gurney AL, Grimanelli D, Kanampiu F, Hoisington D, Scholes JD & Press MC (2003) . NEW PHYTOL, 160(3), 557-568.
  • Leakey ADB, Press MC & Scholes JD (2003) High-temperature inhibition of photosynthesis is greater under sunflecks than uniform irradiance in a tropical rain forest tree seedling. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 26(10), 1681-1690.
  • Brearley FQ, Press MC & Scholes JD (2003) . NEW PHYTOL, 160(1), 101-110.
  • Pierce S, Mbwaga AM, Press MC & Scholes JD (2003) Xenognosin production and tolerance to Striga asiatica infection of high-yielding maize cultivars. WEED RES, 43(2), 139-145.
  • Leakey ADB, Press MC & Scholes JD (2003) . Oecologia, 135(2), 184-193.
  • Leakey ADB, Press MC, Scholes JD & Watling JR (2002) Relative enhancement of photosynthesis and growth at elevated CO2 is greater under sunflecks than uniform irradiance in a tropical rain forest tree seedling. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 25(12), 1701-1714.
  • Gurney AL, Press MC & Scholes JD (2002) Can wild relatives of sorghum provide new sources of resistance or tolerance against Striga species?. WEED RES, 42(4), 317-324.
  • Gurney AL, Taylor A, Mbwaga A, Scholes JD & Press MC (2002) Do maize cultivars demonstrate tolerance to the parasitic weed Striga asiatica ?. WEED RES, 42(4), 299-306.
  • Bungard RA, Zipperlen SA, Press MC & Scholes JD (2002) . FUNCT PLANT BIOL, 29(4), 505-515.
  • Rolfe SA & Scholes JD (2002) . Photosynth Res, 72(1), 107-115.
  • Bungard RA, Press MC & Scholes JD (2000) The influence of nitrogen on rain forest dipterocarp seedlings exposed to a large increase in irradiance. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 23(11), 1183-1194.
  • 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.
  • Gurney AL, Press MC & Scholes JD (1999) Infection time and density influence the response of sorghum to the parasitic angiosperm Striga hermonthica. NEW PHYTOL, 143(3), 573-580.
  • Hibberd JM, Quick WP, Press MC, Scholes JD & Jeschke WD (1999) Solute fluxes from tobacco to the parasitic angiosperm Orobanche cernua and the influence of infection on host carbon and nitrogen relations. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 22(8), 937-947.
  • Bungard RA, Wingler A, Morton JD, Andrews M, Press MC & Scholes JD (1999) Ammonium can stimulate nitrate and nitrite reductase in the absence of nitrate in Clematis vitalba. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 22(7), 859-866.
  • Bungard RA, Ruban AV, Hibberd JM, Press MC, Horton P & Scholes JD (1999) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96(3), 1135-1139.
  • Wright DP, Read DJ & Scholes JD (1998) Mycorrhizal sink strength influences whole plant carbon balance of Trifolium repens L. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 21(9), 881-891.
  • Hibberd JM, Bungard RA, Press MC, Jeschke WD, Scholes JD & Quick WP (1998) Localization of photosynthetic metabolism in the parasitic angiosperm Cuscuta reflexa. PLANTA, 205(4), 506-513.
  • Hibberd JM, Quick WP, Press MC & Scholes JD (1998) Can source-sink relations explain responses of tobacco to infection by the root holoparasitic angiosperm Orobanche cernua?. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 21(3), 333-340.
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD & Read DJ (1998) Effects of VA mycorrhizal colonization on photosynthesis and biomass production of Trifolium repens L.. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 21(2), 209-216.
  • Frost DL, Gurney AL, Press MC & Scholes JD (1997) Striga hermonthica reduces photosynthesis in sorghum: The importance of stomatal limitations and a potential role for ABA?. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 20(4), 483-492.
  • Scholes JD, Press MC & Zipperlen SW (1997) Differences in light energy utilisation and dissipation between dipterocarp rain forest tree seedlings. OECOLOGIA, 109(1), 41-48.
  • Scholes J, Bundock N, Wilde R & Rolfe S (1996) . Planta, 200(2).
  • 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.
  • Barker ER, Press MC, Scholes JD & Quick WP (1996) Interactions between the parasitic angiosperm Orobanche aegyptiaca and its tomato host: Growth and biomass allocation. NEW PHYTOL, 133(4), 637-642.
  • 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.
  • Hibberd JM, Quick WP, Press MC & Scholes JD (1996) The influence of the parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides on the growth and photosynthesis of its host, Vigna unguiculata. J EXP BOT, 47(297), 507-512.
  • Tang X, Ruffner HP, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (1996) . Planta, 198(1), 17-23.
  • WRIGHT DP, BALDWIN BC, SHEPHARD MC & SCHOLES JD (1995) SOURCE-SINK RELATIONSHIPS IN WHEAT LEAVES INFECTED WITH POWDERY MILDEW .1. ALTERATIONS IN CARBOHYDRATE-METABOLISM. PHYSIOL MOL PLANT P, 47(4), 237-253.
  • WRIGHT DP, BALDWIN BC, SHEPHARD MC & SCHOLES JD (1995) SOURCE-SINK RELATIONSHIPS IN WHEAT LEAVES INFECTED WITH POWDERY MILDEW .2. CHANGES IN THE REGULATION OF THE CALVIN CYCLE. PHYSIOL MOL PLANT P, 47(4), 255-267.
  • ROLFE SA & SCHOLES JD (1995) QUANTITATIVE IMAGING OF CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE. NEW PHYTOL, 131(1), 69-79.
  • SCHOLES JD, LEE PJ, HORTON P & LEWIS DH (1994) INVERTASE - UNDERSTANDING CHANGES IN THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND CARBOHYDRATE-METABOLISM OF BARLEY LEAVES INFECTED WITH POWDERY MILDEW. NEW PHYTOL, 126(2), 213-222.
  • Wiggins TE, Jager BJ & Scholes JD (1994) . Biochem Soc Trans, 22(1), 69S.
  • JOHNSON GN, SCHOLES JD, HORTON P & YOUNG AJ (1993) RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CAROTENOID COMPOSITION AND GROWTH HABIT IN BRITISH PLANT-SPECIES. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 16(6), 681-686.
  • JOHNSON GN, YOUNG AJ, SCHOLES JD & HORTON P (1993) THE DISSIPATION OF EXCESS EXCITATION-ENERGY IN BRITISH PLANT-SPECIES. PLANT CELL ENVIRON, 16(6), 673-679.
  • Scholes JH (1991) . Visual Neuroscience, 7(1-2), v-vi.
  • Coleburn NH, Scholes JV & Lowe FC (1991) . Urology, 37(6), 523-527.
  • Foong A, Scholes JV, Gleich GJ, Kephart GM & Holt PR (1991) . Hepatology, 13(6), 1090-1094.
  • HORTON P, CROFTS J, GORDON S, OXBOROUGH K, REES D & SCHOLES JD (1989) REGULATION OF PHOTOSYSTEM-II BY METABOLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS. PHILOS T ROY SOC B, 323(1216), 269-279.
  • HORTON P, OXBOROUGH K, REES D & SCHOLES JD (1988) REGULATION OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL EFFICIENCY OF PHOTOSYSTEM-II - CONSEQUENCES FOR THE LIGHT RESPONSE OF FIELD PHOTOSYNTHESIS. PLANT PHYSIOL BIOCH, 26(4), 453-460.
  • SCHOLES JD & FARRAR JF (1987) DEVELOPMENT OF SYMPTOMS OF BROWN RUST OF BARLEY IN RELATION TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNGAL MYCELIUM, STARCH ACCUMULATION AND LOCALIZED CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF CHLOROPHYLL. NEW PHYTOL, 107(1), 103-117.
  • SCHOLES JD & FARRAR JF (1986) INCREASED RATES OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN LOCALIZED REGIONS OF A BARLEY LEAF INFECTED WITH BROWN RUST. NEW PHYTOL, 104(4), 601-612.
  • SCHOLES JD & FARRAR JF (1985) PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CHLOROPLAST FUNCTIONING WITHIN INDIVIDUAL PUSTULES OF UROMYCES-MUSCARI ON BLUEBELL LEAVES. PHYSIOL PLANT PATHOL, 27(3), 387-400.
  • SCHOLES JD & SHATTOCK RC (1984) OBSERVATIONS ON DRECHSLERA LEAF-SPOT ON LOLIUM-PERENNE AFFECTED BY CADMIUM. NEW PHYTOL, 98(2), 377-386.

Book chapters

  • Timko MP & Scholes JD (2013) , Parasitic Orobanchaceae (pp. 115-141). Springer Berlin Heidelberg
  • Scholes JD, Swarbrick PJ, Slate J & Press MC (2007) , Integrating New Technologies for Striga Control (pp. 173-184). WORLD SCIENTIFIC
  • Armstrong W, Hodgson JG, Booth RE, Gaitens P, Grime JP, Band SR, Mowforth MA, Crawford RMM, Bossard CC, Hillier SH , Leprince O et al (1993) , Methods in Comparative Plant Ecology (pp. 29-222). Springer Netherlands
  • Leegood RC & Scholes JD (1992) , Molecular Plant Pathology (pp. 223-232). Oxford University PressOxford
  • Johnson G, Horton P, Scholes J & Grime P (1990) , Current Research in Photosynthesis (pp. 3155-3158). Springer Netherlands
  • Wright DP, Scholes JD, Horton P, Baldwin BC & Shephard MC (1990) , Current Research in Photosynthesis (pp. 3017-3020). Springer Netherlands
  • Scholes J, Lee P, Horton P & Lewis D (1990) , Current Research in Photosynthesis (pp. 3013-3016). Springer Netherlands
  • Beardon E, Scholes J & Ton J () , Induced Resistance for Plant Defense (pp. 232-248). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Conference proceedings

  • 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)
  • Pierce S, Ley G, Mbwaga AM, Lamboll RI, Riches CR, Press MC & Scholes JD (2003) Farmers, farms and physiology: an integrated approach to Striga research. BCPC INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS CROP SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2003, VOL 1 AND 2, CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS (pp 1017-1022)
  • Press MC, Scholes JD & Riches CR (2001) Current status and future prospects for management of parasitic weeds (Striga and Orobanche). WORLD'S WORST WEEDS, PROCEEDINGS(77) (pp 71-88)
  • Press MC, Scholes JD & Watling JR (1999) Parasitic plants: physiological and ecological interactions with their hosts. PHYSIOLOGICAL PLANT ECOLOGY (pp 175-197)
  • SCHOLES JD (1992) PHOTOSYNTHESIS - CELLULAR AND TISSUE ASPECTS IN DISEASED LEAVES. PESTS AND PATHOGENS (pp 85-106)
  • WRIGHT DP, SCHOLES JD, HORTON P, BALDWIN BC & SHEPHARD MC (1990) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HAUSTORIA OF ERYSIPHE-GRAMINIS AND THE ENERGY STATUS OF LEAVES. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS, VOLS 1-4 (pp D223-D226)

Preprints

  • Bunsick M, Xu Z, Pescetto G, Ly G, Hountalas J, Boyer F-D, McErlean CSP, Scholes JD & Lumba S (2022) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Scott D, Scholes J, Randrianjafizanaka M, Autfray P, Randriamampianina J & Freckleton R (2021) , Authorea, Inc..
  • Bunsick M, Xu X, Pescetto G, Ly G, Hountalas J, Didier-Boyer F, McErlean CSP, Scholes JD & Lumba S () .
Research group
  • David Rapley - Understanding resistance in rice to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica in sub-Saharan Africa. Grantham PhD Scholarship (2017 –2022).
  • Rachel Greenhill â€“ Population genomics and virulence of Striga asiatica in Madagascar. BBSRC-DTP PhD (2018 – 2023). (With Prof Roger Butlin; Dr Roy Chaudhuri).
Grants

GCRF-BBSRC Foundation Award (2017 – 2019) Facilitating smart crop breeding through understanding the genetics of resistance and virulence in the Striga-rice interaction. Lead PI: Julie Scholes; Co-PIs: Mathias Lorieux (IRD Montpellier/CIAT Colombia); Roger Butlin.

CIMMYT maize CRP programme (2017 – 2019) Characterising resistance mechanisms in maize for targeted breeding of durable defence against Striga hermonthica ($300k). Lead PI: Julie Scholes; Co-PI Abebe Menkir (IITA, Nigeria).

HEFCE-ODA Quality Research allocation (2017-18) Understanding the genetics of resistance in maize for breeding durable defence to both to the insect pest Fall Armyworm and the parasitic witchweed S. hermonthica. Lead PI: Julie Scholes; Co-PIs: Jurriaan Ton, Abebe Menkir (IITA, Nigeria); Georg Goergen (IITA, Benin).

BBSRC SCPRID initiative (2013-2017) Genomic approaches to understanding resistance and virulence in the cereal Striga interaction for targeted breeding of durable defence (£1.3M). Lead PI: Julie Scholes; Co-PIs: Roger Butlin (Sheffield); Jonne Rodenburg (Africa Rice Centre); Steven Runo (Kenyatta University, Kenya); Mathias Lorieux (CIAT, Columbia/ IRD France); Jenipher Bisikwa (Makerere University, Uganda).

Leverhulme Trust (2014-2017) Exploiting Next Generation Sequencing to find virulence genes in Striga, a major parasite of African crops (£249k). Lead PI: Julie Scholes; Co-PIs: Roger Butlin (Sheffield).

Professional activities and memberships
  • Special Editor for Plant Physiology (2019 - present)
  • Member of the Scientific Advisory panel for the PROMISE project (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) (2016 – present)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the International Parasitic Plant Society (2020– present).
  • President of the International Parasitic Plant Society (2016 – 2020).
  • Vice President of the International Parasitic Plant Society (2012 – 2016).
  • Panel member, UKRI GCRF Grant Assessment Panel (2016 - 2020).
  • Panel member, Royal Society International Capacity Building Advisory Network (2012 – present).
  • Panel member, Royal Society Environmental Advisory Network (EAN) (2000 –present).
  • Panel member, Leverhulme-Royal Society Africa Award Grant Panel (2009- 2018).
  • Panel member, DfID-Royal Society Pan Africa Capacity Building Initiative Panel (2012-2016).
  • Panel member, BBSRC pool of grant panel members (Committee B) (2012-2016).
  • Panel member, the BBSRC-DfID-GATES Grant panel for Sustainable Crop Production Research for
  • International Development (SCPRID) (2011-2012).
  • Panel member, BBSRC-DfID Grant Panel for the Sustainable Agriculture Research for International Development (SARID) initiative (2006 -2007).
  • External examiner at the University of Exeter (2010 -2014) and University of Leeds (2002 – 2006).