Research Associates

A curator and historian by profession, since 2011,

Brian is RBGE's senior lichenologist with research interests in the taxonomy and biogeography of north-west European lichens, and with particular expertise in the genus Micarea.

My major research interest is in the intellectual

From 1991 to 2021 I worked at the at RBG Edinburgh as co-ordinator of the International Conifer Conservation Programme on many aspects of conifer conservation. Part of my work has been to establish one of the world's most comprehensive networks for the ex situ conservation of threatened conifers. 

I work within a team of species specialists as a Policy and Advice Officer for Scottish Natural Heritage. I am national advisor on all Scottish bryophytes and fungi/lichens. To deliver this remit, I draw on research skills developed through my PhD and five years of post-doctoral research on mycorrhizal function and ecology.

I do research on parasitic microfungi, their biodiversity, taxonomy and distribution. 

Former Editor of the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra I am a taxonomist with research interests in horticulture, plant taxonomy and plant conservation. I am a member of the Horticultural Taxonomy Group (Hortax), the IUCN SSC Arabian Plant Specialist Group and the Executive Committee of the Friends of Socotra.

Vladimir has a diverse academic and professional background in natural sciences. His main interest is in understanding indirect interactions in ecological and environmental systems.

I am a taxonomist with expertise in bryophytes, and in the vascular plant flora of the Sino-Himalayan region.

I study and research diatoms, from fundamental questions on the nature of species, through to practical applications such as water quality monitoring.

I retired from my position as Gymnosperm Systematist at RBGE in 2018 but am now a RBGE Research Associate. I am currently revising genera of Podocarpaceae, particularly Podocarpus and Prumnopitys.

I was employed as a SW Asian botanist at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 1974 to 2017. My research focussed on floristic, taxonomic and conservation studies in SW Asia. Field work activities included: assessing the status of vegetation and threatened species, surveying biodiversity hotspots; ethnographic studies and biodiversity impact and richness assessments for landscape potential and for restoration. During these surveys I have discovered and scientifically described many species new to science. I have written numerous scientific papers, several books and contributed to many workshops and conferences

Henry Noltie is interested in the history of collections and the history of botany in India. His work has concentrated on the RBGE collections, especially the botanical drawings made by Indian artists for Scottish East India Company surgeons.

I manage NatureScot's (SNH) Evidence and Reporting, and Terrestrial Vascular Plant teams. This includes conservation of wild plants, and development and production of indicators such as Ecosystem Health Indicators and Convention on Biological Diversity reports. This work relies heavily on citizen science. I work with colleagues on conservation of genetic diversity, urban biodiversity and evidence-based conservation.

My first collaboration with RBGE was as part of the team developing a world first genetic diversity indicator for wild species. We used a scorecard approach for wild species of cultural and socio-economic importance to promote long-term conservation of genetic diversity.

I am interested forest management, and in particular opportunities for multiple benefits from woodlands: economic, social and biodiversity conservation. I have also study the interaction between non-native species and novel pests and pathogens. Our work analyses the implications of introducing additional tree species for commercial or conservation purposes.

I am a Lecturer in Physical Geography at the University

Jo is an ascomycete taxonomist and foliar fungal endophyte researcher. Her studies are currently focused on forest pathology and the potential role of beneficial fungal endophytic partners. She also contributes to the Scottish Plant Health Centre website.

Juan Carlos is an evolutionary biologist and bryologist, based at the Institut de biologie Intégrative et des systèmes, Université Laval.

I worked for Forestry Commission in various roles, ending up in the Physiology Branch of the Northern Research Station, Roslin, working with mycorrhiza and tree roots. I took early retirement in 1996 to allow more time to follow my interest in the taxonomy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Roy is an RBGE mycologist (retired). He received an MBE for contributions to mycology, particularly recognising his teaching and support for amateurs and those from developing countries. He received the Royal Society of Edinburgh Patrick Neill medal for contributions to Science. He was the first recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award of Nature of Scotland 2012 for mycological contributions, and the first recipient of the Plant Life International Smart Award 2011 for activities in conservation.

My research interest is the classification and identification of Legumes. I am working on an account of the family for the Flora of the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra.