Agricultural and Food Sciences - Research

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) is a specialised multidisciplinary research organisation within the University of Greenwich. The institute received the Queen's Anniversary Prize for its research activities on food security in the developing world. Much of NRI s research work is concerned with natural resources, agriculture and social development in developing countries, although it has an expanding portfolio of activities in Europe and other industrialised countries.

NRI provides a thriving environment for MPhil and PhD students working in agricultural and food sciences (www.nri.org/research/avfs.htm). Each of NRI s groups has a strong portfolio of research activities, of which students form an important and integral part.

The Agriculture, Health & Environment Department (www.nri.org/work/ahe.htm) works on the worldwide development of appropriate cost-effective and sustainable approaches to controlling pests, diseases and weeds that affect crop production. Use of control methods involving no (or very low) chemical residues is increasing in importance in our work, especially for export crops.

The group also has researchers who share a common interest in the many species of airborne pollen and spores, insects, ticks and rodents that cause injury to their hosts and transmit diseases. Research is undertaken in the UK, using NRI's state-of-the-art molecular laboratories, insectaries and glasshouses, and also overseas. Particularly strong areas of research include the epidemiology of insect-borne virus diseases, molecular diagnostics, pest and disease modelling, aerobiology and biometeorology, migrant pests, medical and veterinary entomology and integrated pest management.

The Food and Markets Department (www.nri.org/work/etfm.htm) works on commodity management and food safety of cereals, grains, root crops, perishables and other crops. The department works with all aspects of the operations of the food industry, including, for example, storage, post-harvest technology, quality analysis and management, compliance with food standards, food processing and value addition. NRI s work provides many opportunities for postgraduates to be involved in multidisciplinary projects.

We offer full-time or part-time attendance, with students based on our campus or in their home countries, or some combination.

Research projects

Recent topics include:

• The impact of host plants on the efficacy of nucleopolyhedrovirus as a biopesticide
• The impact of exotic Chinese carp in the Danube