Name:               Helen J OUGHAM

Date of birth:      30 March 1956

Email:                  hjo(+)aber.ac.uk
                          helen1(+)sidthomas.net
                          [to send email, replace (+) with @]

Academic qualifications:

1982                 PhD (Biochemistry), Aberystwyth, Wales
1977                 BA (Natural Sciences - Genetics), Cambridge

Post-doctoral career 

2010 - present            Independent Scientist associated with Aberystwyth University
2007 - 2010                Reader, IBERS, Aberystwyth University
1994 - 2007                Principal Research Scientist, IGER
1985 - 1994                Senior Scientific Officer, WPBS/IGER
1983 - 1985                Higher Scientific Officer, WPBS
1980 - 1983                Demonstrator, Biochemistry Dept,
                                University of Wales,  Aberystwyth

Publications

Click here for list and links to downloads

Positions held and indicators of esteem

·  Invited speaker at Gordon Research Conference on Plant Senescence and Cell Death, Mt Holyoke College, MA, USA, 2004; elected Co-Chair of 2008 GRC on same topic.

·  Co-Editor and advisor, New Phytologist (2004-present); frequent reviewer for other scientific journals and of grant applications to funding bodies.

·  Honorary Lecturer/Reader, University of Birmingham (2004-present) and Aberystwyth University (1991-2007).

·  Invited lecturer in bioinformatics, International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, Zaragoza: MSc in Plant Breeding, February 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011; advanced course in "Genomic Tools for the Analysis and Breeding of Complex Traits in Crop Plants", 2004.

·  Member of BBSRC GDB Committee (2006-2010).

·  Member of BBSRC panels reviewing Crop Science studentship applications (2006-2010) and Bioinformatics and Biological Resources fund pre-proposals (2007-2010).

·  Consultant on aspects of advice, support and education in bioinformatics, biostatistics and mathematical modelling for various bodies in England, Scotland and Spain.

·  Former member of Plant Biology Committee, and Council, of Society for Experimental Biology.

·  Member of Interim Executive Committee and Council of Biosciences Federation, 2001-2003.

Scientific interests

·  Cloning, mapping and exploiting genes determining senescence, late-season and post-harvest deterioration in a range of plant species.

·  Interaction between chlorophyll synthesis and catabolism in plant development and stress responses.

·  Biochemistry, genetics and ecological significance of autumnal colours of foliage.

·  Regulation of plant growth and stress responses.

·  Use of imaging and machine-learning methods for non-destructive analysis of plant development, composition and health status.

·  Bioinformatics and biological applications of computing methodologies.

·  Developing and teaching practical applications of informatics for geneticists and breeders.

·  Data mining of large biological multivariate datasets.

·  The art-science interface.

·  Science through the medium of Welsh.