My research foci are in (i) biomimetics - the technological application of biological adaptations, (ii) plant evolution and taxonomy, and (iii) conservation.
1. Biomimetics: here my work combines biology, mathematics, physics and engineering to examine the structural and functional properties of plants, and to identify potential applications in technology. For example, giant waterlilies to inspire offshore floating solar panel design.
2. Evolution and taxonomy: my work examines fundamental processes in evolution such as speciation, adaptive radiation and evolutionary convergence, for example in carnivorous plants and parasitic plants. I work with botanists in biodiversity hotspots across the globe to describe new species.
3. Conservation: I am the founder of an international community of purpose to develop, share and deploy best practice in the conservation of the world’s largest flower, Rafflesia: https://ccrr.obga.ox.ac.uk/
I am currently a Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines.
