Team

Rafal M Gutaker
[Senior Research Leader]
October 2020 -

I have always been fascinated by plant diversity, evolution and ecology, focusing on plants utilized by humans, and their wild relatives. My main concern both scientifically and personally is our agricultural system, which is not diverse, sustainable or healthy, and has high ecological impact. I use retrospective tools to learn about past agricultures, and search for better designs. I love to be part of institution that inspires my mission to explore and protect plant life on Earth. 

Scholar: Rafal M. Gutaker
Twitter: @rgutaker
RBG Kew: kew.org

Hong Phuong Le
[Research Associate]
June 2023 -

My background is molecular biology with specific interests in genome editing, and gene expression and function in microalgae and plants. Currently, I am working on a project investigating the effects of modern agricultural practices on the rice-associated microbiome, rice genetic diversity, and rice grains’ nutritional qualities of the historical (pre-Green Revolution) and contemporary rice samples in The Philippines and Vietnam. 

Siu Kin Ng
[Research Associate]
September 2024 -

Captivated by the microscopic world through the lens of big data. Currently, I am engaged in projects exploring the intricate interactions between plant (particularly cultivated rice) and their associated microbes. Using both contemporary and herbarium samples, my work seeks to unravel how these relationships have evolved over time in response to shift in biotic and abiotic factors, including climate.

Vanessa C. Bieker
[MSCA Fellow]
February 2025 -

I have experience working with historical and ancient samples for genomic studies and invasion biology. My project aims to better understand what makes a good plant invader by comparing the genomes and metagenomes of three Ambrosia species that were introduced to Europe around the same time but differ in their invasive success.

Stefano Porrelli
[Research Associate]
May 2025 -

PhD Students

Meng-Ting Hsieh
[Jointly with Earlham Institute, Anthony Hall and Jose de Vega]

Abdul Rashid Issah
[Jointly with CSIR-SARI (Ghana), Joseph Adjabeng]

Honorary Research Associates

Yoon Kyung Lee
[Faculty Staff at the Seoul National University]
August 2025 -
[Research Associate in RG team]
January 2024 - August 2025

I have experience in rice molecular breeding and genomics, specifically in rice grain quality. I am involved in a project that focuses on population genomics and the nutritional quality of rice using historical herbarium samples. 

MSc Students

Alumni

Staff

Nataly O. Allasi Canales
[Villum Fellow]
March 2023 - June 2025

Nataly is now a Faculty Staff at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru

Website: https://www.DNAtaly.com/

Amy C. Jackson
[Research Associate]
May 2023 - January 2025
Next step: Senior Statistician, Gov.

Robin Becina Guevarra
[Research Associate]
March 2023 - January 2024
Next step: Doctor Assistant, Ghent University Global Campus · Incheon, South Korea

MSc Students

Callum Swift, 2023
Tillandsia latifolia, an extremophile that can tell the story of lomas, the Peruvian fog oases.
Next step: PhD Student, University of Nottingham

Ella Serpell, 2022
Crop origin niches: environmental perspectives on the “when, where, and why” of domestication in five grain taxa.
Next step: Research Assistant, RBG Kew