Emma Fuller

Research Interests

My research interests include ecology, plant conservation and protection, environmental sustainability, forest management and its improvement strategies.

I have a particular interest in disease control, plant pathology, focusing on the mitigation of plant-related invasive pathogens. I thoroughly enjoyed the research aspect of my undergraduate and postgraduate studies, in particular;

• The environmental aspect of my undergraduate research motivated me to continue studying for a masters in environmental science.
• My masters’ project fostered my interest in plant pathology and disease control in forestry using bio-agents.

Current Projects

I am currently working on the ExAl Project which aims to find ecological solutions and potential bio-agents to control Alder dieback disease. 

The ExAl (Exploitation of plant and rhizosphere microbiome of Alder (Alnus glutinosa) trees) project aims to isolate potential bio-agents for improved disease tolerance against Alder dieback disease caused by Phytophthora alni.

The research for this project is funded by the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Scholarship Programme.

Past Projects

• Ash Dieback Disease Progression and Associated Pathogens, M.Sc. Project (2021)
• Extraction and Analysis of Barn Owl Eggs for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), B.Sc. Project (2020)

Education

• PhD – Tree Improvement, SETU Carlow / Teagasc (2022 – Present)
• M.Sc. – Environmental Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland (2020 – 2021)
• B.Sc. – Forensic Science and Analysis, ATU, Galway, Ireland (2016 – 2020)

Funding & Awards

• Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (IRC GOIPG) for the current ExAl project (2022 – 2026)
• 'Educational Quality Standard Student Award for Best Forensic Science Student' by The Chartered Society of Forensic Science (2020)
• 'Academic Achievement Award' from GMIT for best grades in the final year of my Bachelor’s degree (2020).

• Publications