Biography
James is a microbial ecologist with a research focus on the tree microbiome. His research team have studied the oak microbiome in health and disease for over 15 years, and with collaborators, have contributed new insights into the role of microorganisms in Acute Oak Decline (AOD) and a conceptual framework for establishing the role of polymicrobial complexes in disease and tree microbiomes. Recently, his team characterised the microbiome of oak trees across the UK and developed disease-suppressive microbial inoculants that can decrease pathogens in trees. His team also study the response of the oak microbiome to drought and other stressors, with the aim of identifying plant-associated microorganisms that can be used as inoculants to promote stress tolerance in trees.
