Professional summary
Luisa is a Plant Ecologist Research Associate working in the Plant Genetics team within the Ecology & Evolution group. Her research focuses on investigating the genetic basis for adaptation to novel environmental conditions as well as pests and diseases. She studies trees such as Scots pine and Lodgepole pine through their responses in common garden stress-response trials, including drought and waterlogging treatments. She uses adaptive traits such as growth, biomass allocation, phenology and disease resilience to investigate the adaptive potential of trees.
In relation to forest tree species, Luisa is also exploring the use of drone-captured imagery to measure traits when ground-based observations are not possible.
Additionally, she contributes to national botanical Countryside Survey work in Scotland, a long-running monitoring programme which gives insight into plant communities and informs policymakers on land use changes.