Helena Ripley

Helena is a researcher in soil biogeochemistry. Following a PhD using plant traits to identify cover crops to control soil erosion in the Mediterranean, Helena had a couple of short-term research roles at Lancaster University working with soils from a variety of ecosystems. Following this she did some consultancy work to help farmers and small businesses calculate and reduce their environmental impact before starting her role at UKCEH.

Helena has a particular interest in applied research and has worked on a few projects testing products which could help to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. These have included biochar to improve soil health in pastures, amended biochar to reduce pollution from poultry farming, and a lower emission fertiliser. She is also interested in understanding ecosystems, as part of the ReTroForGe project she is conducting incubation experiments on moss and soil samples from Panama.