Five new faces to help develop research at Harper

Posted 27 July 2010

Five new members of staff have been appointed at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire with the aim of developing research.

The five new post-holders who will be starting between now and the Autumn have filled roles in the agri-food and land-based research fields at the University College to address the global challenges of food and bio-energy security.

The research positions are in quantitative economics, social psychology, animal molecular biology and soil ecology.

Dr David Llewellyn, Principal of Harper Adams, said: “We have been looking ahead to see where we can contribute to solving the problems of future food and fuel production whilst maintaining the countryside and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"These appointments will enable us to expand our work with business and Government to help the UK and other countries produce healthy and environmentally-friendly food.”

Harper Adams Research Co-ordinator, Professor Peter Kettlewell, said: “The new members of staff will be developing innovative research programmes to attract external funding, collaborating with other researchers at Harper Adams and elsewhere and contributing to teaching in their subject. I look forward to welcoming these new members of staff to our academic teams.”

Dr Donna Johnson has been appointed as Research Lecturer in Animal Molecular Biology in the Animals Department. Dr Johnson has a BSc in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Wolverhampton, and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Manchester. 

In the Business Management and Marketing Department, Domenica Gentile has filled a post as Research Lecturer in Social Psychology. Ms Gentile has Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Rome and is currently completing her PhD thesis at the University of Nottingham on productive and counter-productive workplace behaviours.

Dr Sam Bonnett has been appointed as Research Lecturer in Soil Ecology and will be joining the Crops Department. Dr Bonnett has a PhD in Wetland Biogeochemistry from Bangor University in addition to Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Daniel May has filled the final post as Research Lecturer in Quantitative Economic in the Rural Affairs and Environment Department. Mr May’s qualifications include Bachelors and Masters degrees from universities in Chile as well as an MPhil in Economics from the University of Essex, and he is currently completing his PhD thesis at the University of Wolverhampton on farmers’ economic and strategic behaviour.

In the Research Office Kreseda Smith will take up the post of Research Grants Administrator.  Kreseda has a BSc in Criminology and Psychology from Keele University, and five years experience as Taught Postgraduate and Timetable Administrator at Harper Adams.