Miranda Prendergast-Miller

I am interested in the interactions that occur between soil, plant roots, the microbial community and soil fauna, and how these affect nutrient cycling. I joined the UK Biochar Research Centre in October 2009. I work with Dr Saran Sohi (soil science theme leader) on how biochar affects these interactions.

For my PhD research (supervised by Dave Johnson and Liz Baggs, University of Aberdeen), I investigated the role of ectomycorrhizal fungi (mutualistic fungi that colonise tree roots) in denitrification (the loss of nitrogen from soil as nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas)). I have also worked with enchytraeid worms and their sensitivity to nitrogen deposition (with Lucy Sheppard (CEH Edinburgh), Bob Rees (SAC), Val Standen and Lisa Cole.)

Qualifications: PhD (2009) University of Aberdeen; MSc Environmental Protection and Management (2005), University of Edinburgh; BSc (Hons) Environmental biology and geography (2004), University of St Andrews.