The research team, based at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, and NIAB.
NRI
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Principal Investigator
Prof Phil Stevenson
Prof Stevenson is a plant chemical ecologist with a particular interest in the importance of chemistry in plant-pollinator interactions. Prof Stevenson was a co-author on several papers relevant to this project.
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Co-Investigator
Dr Sarah Arnold
Dr Arnold is a pollination ecologist who brought 10 years' experience of carrying out insect behaviour and ecology experiments to the project. She is particularly interested in the use of cues by insects to find food sources. Dr Arnold managed the day-to-day project activities and contributed to the laboratory and fieldwork.
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Analytical Chemist
Dudley Farman
With 25 years' experience in analysis of the chemistry of natural products such as plant volatiles and insect pheromones, Dudley supported the project via chemical analysis of key plant odours.
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Synthetic Chemist and Chemical Ecologist
Prof David Hall
Prof Hall is a world-leading insect chemical ecologist and synthetic chemist who analyses and produces chemical blends important in mediating insect-insect and insect-plant interactions.
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Also connected to the research area
Lesley Darlington
Lesley was an undergraduate researcher at NRI during the project.
NIAB (Formerly NIAB EMR)
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Co-Investigator
Dr Michelle Fountain
Dr Fountain is an applied entomologist who has been involved with various world-leading teams focusing on pollination in agriculture. She has a particular specialism in efficient and effective pollination of fruit cropping systems and has extensive experience with soft-fruit cultivation and its associated entomology.
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Field Assistant
Celine Silva
Celine came to the project from a background in plant biotechnology and applied biology, and carried out the semi-field and field trials as part of the project.
Collaborator
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Newcastle University
Prof Geraldine Wright
Prof Wright leads the field of impacts of nectar alkaloids on pollinator behaviour and learning. Her high-profile publications on bees and caffeine provided key groundwork to support this project's ideas.