Nicola Spence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birkbeck College (MSc),
University of Birmingham (PhD)
Nicola Spence | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 22 February 1961 |
| Education | University of Durham (BSc), Birkbeck College (MSc), University of Birmingham (PhD) |
| Known for | Chief Plant Health Officer, Defra |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant pathology, plant health |
| Institutions | Warwick HRI, Food and Environment Research Agency, Defra |
| Thesis | The identification, distribution and ecology of bean common mosaic virus in Africa (1992) |
Nicola Jane Spence CBE (born 22 February 1961[1]) is the Chief Plant Health Officer and Deputy Director for plant and bee health at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Spence was educated at The Mount School, York and Bridlington School.[2] She obtained a BSc degree in Botany from the University of Durham.[3] Before starting her Master's degree, Spence volunteered at the Bermuda Marine Biology Research Institute then worked as a tutor for O level and A level students, and was unsure whether she wanted to pursue a career in research.[4] Spence undertook an MSc degree in Microbiology from Birkbeck College,[3] which she states 'turned out to be the best decision I made at the start of my career.'[4] Spence then obtained a PhD degree in Plant Virology from the University of Birmingham;[3] her thesis was entitled The identification, distribution and ecology of bean common mosaic virus in Africa.[5]
In December 2018 Spence represented the University of Birmingham on the Christmas edition of University Challenge.[6]
Scientific research
Spence was a scientific researcher in plant virology at Horticulture Research International and Fera. She has researched viral diseases of crops and horticulture both in Africa and the UK.
Her research into viral diseases of crops in Africa has included investigations into the pathogenicity of bean common mosaic virus[7] and its occurrence in legumes in Uganda.[8] She has also published on the economic impact of turnip mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus and beet mosaic virus in Kenya[9] and patterns of plant pest introductions into Europe and Africa.[10] She was the vegetables technical advisor for the Department for International Development's crop protection programme,[11] leading projects on management of viral diseases in vegetable crops in Kenya[12] and promotion of quality kale seed in Kenya.[13]
In UK horticultural systems, Spence has worked on identifying viruses present in Alstroemeria crops in the UK,[14] as well as isolating and characterising viruses from petunia[15] and Cineraria.[16] Other research included studying the effect of pepino mosaic virus on tomato yield.[17] She was an editor and contributor to the book Biotic Interactions in Plant-pathogen Associations.[18] and she was previously a member of the editorial board for the scientific journal Plant Pathology.
Spence was appointed chief scientist at Fera in 2009.[4]
Science City York
In 2009 Spence was appointed the chief executive of Science City York,[2] later known as SCY, an organisation supporting the development of science and technology industries in York, England.[19] In this role, Spence promoted connections between academics and local businesses, managing events such as Venturefest.[20] She was key in the development of the concept of the BioVale,[21] which aims to promote the bioeconomy in Yorkshire and the Humber.[22] She remained in the role for four years, until her appointment as Chief Plant Health Officer.[21]
