Laboratory Manager
Simon Foster
Bio
As Laboratory manager for The Sainsbury Laboratory I am responsible for oversight of the Laboratory Support team who service the TSL research environment and support the research groups. My responsibilities include management of the laboratory support teams, maintenance of cutting-edge scientific equipment, implementation of new technologies, negotiation with suppliers and compliance with Health and Safety, radioactivity and hazardous chemicals regulations.
I have a background in laboratory research, specifically in the field of plant-pathogen interactions. Most recently my research concerned the cloning of resistance genes against Phytophthora infestans (late blight of potato). During 2010-2012 I was responsible for overseeing the running of a field trial of GM potatoes, the purpose of which was to test the efficacy of the cloned Rpi-vnt1 gene.
I have also worked on molecular aspects of important host/pathogen systems, including work on fungal pathogens of oilseed rape (Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Leptosphaeria maculans), barley (Rhynchosporium secalis) and perennial ryegrass (Epichloë festucae).
Job history
-
2007 -
Laboratory Manager
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK -
2005 - 2007
Postdoctoral Scientist
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK -
2003 - 2005
Research Fellow
Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, New Zealand -
1999 - 2003
Postdoctoral Scientist
Rothamsted Research, UK -
1996 - 2000
PhD Student
University of Cambridge & Rothamsted Research, UK -
1992 - 1996
Undergraduate Degree (Biology)
University of Nottingham, UK