Thursday, 19 February 2026
Two plant scientists from the 糖心原创 have been recognised for their outstanding research with the Presidents Award.
Plant Physiologist, Dr Lorna McAusland and Dr Poonam Mehra, Principal Research Fellow from the School of Biosciences have received awards for demonstrating scientific excellence and impact in their research areas.
Dr McAusland specialises in investigating the dynamic responses of photosynthesis and water regulation to heat stress in wheat Lorna’s current research in Nottingham is developing techniques to uncover crucial characteristics which enable crops to survive high temperatures. In particular, the role non-foliar structures play in contributing to heat tolerance.
While the majority of our understanding about carbon capture comes from the leaves, non-foliar structures, such as the stems, fruits and flowers, offer an exciting, unexplored source of variation for how plants capture carbon in the face of rising global temperatures. The diversity of shapes and responses to heat will provide vital information on how to protect our crops from climate change; in particular wheat.
Dr Mehra’s research explores how plant roots sense and adapt to uneven soil moisture at single-cell resolution. Using advanced imaging technologies, Poonam investigates how roots detect water stress and reprogramme cellular processes in dynamic soil environments. Supported by a BBSRC Discovery Fellowship and a European Research Council Starting Grant, her work is uncovering non-genomic mechanisms that underpin root water sensing and plant resilience.
The President's Medal is awarded annually to scientists of outstanding merit and acknowledges and encourages the contributions of the next generation of experimental biologist researchers, encompassing researchers in the early to mid-stages of their careers, irrespective of age.
Image shows - L to R - Dr Lorna McAusland and Dr Poonam Mehra
Commenting in the award Lorna said: “I'm deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the support of my UoN colleagues, my mentors and my external collaborators. While I'm proud of what I've accomplished, I know there's still so many more physiological processes to uncover to protect our crops from future climates”
Dr Mehra said: “I’m truly honoured to be named a 2026 SEB President’s Medallist. This recognition reflects the excellent support of my team, mentors and collaborators. Understanding how roots sense and respond to water at the cellular level is an exciting challenge, and I look forward to advancing this work to help develop climate-resilient crops.’’
They will be presented with their awards at the SEB annual conference in July in Florence where they will also present their research.
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More information is available from Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创 jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the , the 糖心原创 is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. 糖心原创ing at the 糖心原创 is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by 鈥� the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 鈥� and by the .
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the , a pioneering collaboration between the city鈥檚 two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.