Life Sciences PhD student, Charlotte Carroll, produced an impressive winning poster for the University of Warwick Research Postgraduate Poster Showcase held on 5 June 2013. The poster entitled 'The Effect of Water Channels on Germination and Seedling Growth' won the Science Faculty Prize and Overall Best Poster Prize as judged by a panel of judges from across the University. Charlotte also received the Popular Choice award as voted for by University staff and students.

The award winning poster describes research on TIP3, a water channel expressed in seed development. Warwick researchers think it could be responsible for water uptake in germinating seeds and are manipulating expression levels of this protein in order to understand its role, particularly in water stress conditions. This could provide information for future drought tolerant crop development.

To find out more about the research visit Charlotte's ePortfolio

The Monash-Warwick Alliance has taken a further step towards creating seamless global research and teaching opportunities for its staff and students with the launch of a transnational joint PhD programme.

Seed funding of £500,000
The Anglo-Australian partnership, which brings together the University of Warwick and Monash University, is offering funding of up to £500,000/ AUD 750,000 over the next three years for 30 students to study under research leaders addressing the research challenges the Alliance is tackling.

Representing a new step in global research and research training collaboration, the Monash-Warwick joint PhD is unique in terms of comprehensiveness and scale. Students, who will spend a substantial amount of the program at each institution, will emerge as globally-engaged graduates.

Students eligible for home status at either university will be considered as home students for the whole programme. International students will be supported through the processes of registering in both countries.

Information on the Joint Doctoral programmes available (including Health Research Topics)

Applications will be accepted no later than 5pm on June 7th.

On Monday 27^th May BBC Coventry and Warwickshire interviewed academics from Warwick Crop Centre to find out about the vegetable research taking place on the Wellesbourne site.

Dr Rosemary Collier, Director of Warwick Crop Centre, describes the establishment of crop research at Wellesbourne in response to post-war pressure for food production and the changes that have taken place leading to the development of the Centre as it is today.

Dr Graham Teakle, a plant geneticist, gives an insight into some of the research projects currently being undertaken to improve crop yields.

Listen to the interview on iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018syq0 (The Crop Centre item is 1hr 22 mins into the programme).

Related links:
Warwick Crop Centre
Dr Rosemary Collier
Dr Graham Teakle

Weed scientist Dr Paul Neve shared his expertise at Australia's Herbicide Resistance Challenge conference in February 2013. Major issues discussed include the threat of herbicide resistance and its impact on global grain production, alternatives to chemical weed control and the latest gene modification advances.

Paul's keynote presentation is now available online:
 'The rate debate: do low or reduced herbcide rates exacerbate evolution resistance?' 

Related links:
Paul Neve
Weed Research

Ann Price from Warwick Crop Centre, part of the School of Life Sciences, went to Hampton Lucy School on Tuesday 7th May to give a talk to years 5 and 6 about her work in the Genetic Resources Unit. The Warwickshire primary school children learned about vegetable seeds, pollination and growing plants. The children really enjoyed Ann’s talk, and it fitted in well with their horticulture lessons and their vegetable garden work.

The School of Life Sciences is committed to working with schools and the community. Coordinated by our Educational Strategy and Communications Officer, staff and students from the School work with schools and the community to provide experience of the Life Sciences.

To find out more about what we can offer your school or community group contact life.sciences@warwick.ac.uk

Related links:
Schools and Community
Warwick Crop Centre
Genetic Resources Unit

The School of Life Sciences is one of four Warwick departments who won an Athena SWAN award this year, recognising our commitment to advancing women's careers in STEMM academia. The School achieved Bronze department status.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held at The Royal Society of Edinburgh on Thursday 6 June 2013.