Landmark 2016

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RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY
New PhD projects
The range of PhD projects being
undertaken at the University continue to
increase. There are two new research
studies in SEMS, two new phD students in
RELM, and one new PhD student in SAFE.
In SEMS, one student is developing an
in vitro foregut model for horses, and the
other student is working on the detection,
identification, and modification of a range
of allergenic epitopes in hay fodder that
cause respiratory diseases when fed to
horses. In RELM, one student is examining
the attraction of London property to
GCC investors, while the other student
is exploring roofing systems to minimise
heat stress in livestock housing. In SAFE,
the student is developing a fully integrated
IOT system with sensor detection and
control of crop production. A new research
development exploring the changing
mechanisms and government policy on
inclusion for otherwise disabled students
in higher education, is being managed by
the Disability Officer, Dr John Conway.
The RAU is also offering two fully
funded PhD opportunities for 2016.
Visit
School of Equine Management
and Science
The School of
Equine Management
and Science is rapidly
building a vibrant research
community. Current PhD
research projects include
behavioural probes of
brain function, respiratory
allergens in hay, and
development of a foregut
in vitro model for horses. PhD student
Sam White is researching ‘Detection,
identification, and modification of a
range of allergenic epitopes in hay
fodder that cause respiratory disease in
horses’ as part of a wider international
study investigating equine asthma.
This study is working on the prevention
of equine asthma, and will have real
practical benefits for horse owners.
Greencycleit
The RAU is working in
collaboration with GCI
Corporation Ltd to develop a
high quality growing medium, which
has been formulated following a number of
research phases and trials. The peat-free
growing medium incorporates a blend of
spent coffee grounds and other recycled
materials, and will reduce waste going into
landfill as well as creating a useful product
for the horticultural industry. A pilot-scale
project, led by Dr Hugh Martin, Principal
Lecturer in Agricultural Science, is being run
at Harnhill Manor Farm to test the potential
for commercialisation of the product.
School of Agriculture, Food and Environment
PhD student Donwell Kamalongo is
evaluating the potential of field bean
and wheat variety mixtures as a home-
grown forage for livestock. Bi-cropping
is considered a low cost production
system which can provide multiple
ecological benefits to rejuvenate
degraded environments for sustainable
food and quality fodder production.
It is also considered a more efficient
use of ecological resources, such as
land and nutrients, than sole cropping.
Initial results suggest that up to 40%
greater production is possible with
bi-cropping, compared with pure
stands of wheat or field bean.
Donwell Kamalongo
Alkaloid Group
The RAU’s newest research group, the
Alkaloid Group, is exploring the potential
of daffodils and narcissi. The UK is the
world’s largest producer of these cut
flowers, but the plants also contain over
500 alkaloids; including galantamine, which
has been approved for the treatment of
early stage and moderate Alzheimer’s
disease since 2001, and narciclasine and
haemanthamine, which demonstrate anti-
cancer and anti-leukemia properties. Led
by Dr Xianmin Chang, the group is
developing good agricultural practices
to reduce the costs and maximise
the yield of alkaloids; ultimately to
make the supply chain of daffodils for
alkaloid extraction more sustainable
for the UK pharmaceutical industry.