Callum Scotson

Experience

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  Aberystwyth University

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2014

  Laboratory Demonstrator for Lifelong Learning Courses

  I assisted with the teaching of the course content, the preparation of plant specimens, projection and display of magnified plant material and the setup of laboratory equipment.

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  Aberystwyth University

  Sept 2014 - Aug 2016

  Following the success of my Summer Research Studentship (details given below), I was offered a position working on research projects to further establish computed tomography (CT) based methods for studying plant morphometry and growth. This research work took place alongside my university studies during the academic year and full-time over the 2016 summer period. These techniques have been utilised in ongoing crop trials with partners such as Germinal, NIAB and Rothamsted Research. Results from my novel exploratory work have since led to a research paper output. Show less Over the summer period I undertook research, funded by the British Society for Cell Biology's Summer Studentship Award (detailed below in the Honours & Awards section), to develop a novel computed tomography (CT) image analysis method for automatically lifting morphological data from cereal crop plants.I was able to successfully establish automated high-throughput image analysis procedures to isolate seeds from surrounding plant material within the CT image. Methods were developed to then reconstruct these isolated seeds as a 3D image and then lift morphological data for each individual seed/grain regarding the following features: height, width, surface area, volume, density, centre of density within the object and position of each seed relative to one another. All of these procedures were then written up as plugins/ macros for the image analysis freeware FIJI and so can be easily executed by staff with little or no computational image analysis experience. These automated methods provide an alternative to the labour intensive conventional dissection that would otherwise be necessary to obtain comparable data. Show less

  • Crop Science Researcher

    Sept 2015 - Aug 2016

  • Research Student

    Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  • Laboratory Research Assistant

    Sept 2014 - May 2015
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  University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus

  May 2015 - Jun 2015

  Visiting Tropical Agriculture Researcher

  The Tropical Argiculture Association's "Masters International Study Award" enabled me to travel the International Cocoa Genebank, Cocoa Research Centre, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, to undertake tropical crop field research on cocoa tree physiology.The Masters International Study Award, which funded this research trip to the University of the West Indies, is only awarded to ten UK MSc level students however the TAA made an exception in my case and gave me an award despite being only a BSc undergraduate. Show less

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  University of Southampton

  Jul 2018 - Feb 2021

  The focus of my PhD was to capture plant root development and soil / water interactions, for agricultural applications, using 3D X-ray (XCT) imaging and chemical sampling techniques. More specifically, I investigated strategies for improving soluble agrochemical uptake efficiency by studying soil structure and root anatomy effects. I captured the dynamics of water movement through ridge and furrow soil systems to study patterns of soluble agrochemical infiltration and application efficiency, and developed the use of gold nanoparticles as a future aid for improving crop plant and soil imaging research. Additionally, I used XCT imaging to study aspects of maize root anatomy which affect solute and water transport through plant vasculature over time. I presented my research at three major international conferences to audiences of academics and industry representatives. During my PhD, I led and managed the production of three lead author papers and collaborated as a middle author on a further five papers relating to agricultural science. Show less In this role at the u-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, completed alongside my PhD studies, I utilised technical expertise acquired during my PhD to develop analytical imaging techniques for a major defence contractor. The consultancy work required a professional and output-driven approach giving thoughtful consideration to our client’s requirements / constraints. Progress and results of our technique development were communicated regularly to the client in meetings. This consultancy project was successful and the client is commissioning further projects as a result. Show less

  • Agricultural Science PhD

    Sept 2016 - Feb 2021

  • Technical Consultant

    Jul 2018 - Jul 2019
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  NIAB

  Feb 2021 - Mar 2023

  Agronomy Trials Manager - Specialising in Soil Health and Agricultural Systems

  In my role as an Agronomy Trials Manager at NIAB, I was responsible for managing an array of crop agronomy research trials, as well as a portfolio of soil health research and knowledge exchange projects in the South of England. I have managed agronomy research trials covering a variety of topics including: varietal assessment, fungicide timing and disease monitoring trials. These trials were been undertaken on behalf of a range of clients such as levy organisations, plant breeders and multi-national agrochemical companies. To fulfil these research projects, I managed application procedures and I regularly undertook agronomic assessments of crop growth and disease status to determine where differences were present.In addition to the agronomy trials work, I was responsible for managing a portfolio of soil health and sustainable farming system research and knowledge exchange projects. I managed and delivered various soil health monitoring trials at the AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm South and regularly presented the results of this work to farmers and the wider agricultural community both in person and online in webinars. Further to the AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm South, I managed and provided consultancy for soil health monitoring projects across the South of England working with farmers, agricultural firms, utility companies, government agencies and non-profit organisations to deliver outcomes which sought to improve soil health management without compromising profitability for farm businesses. I was frequently invited to on-farm meetings and workshops, including NIAB's trial site Open Days, to lead discussions and provide advice on soil health management utilising recent research outputs. Show less

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  Southberg Holdings

  Apr 2023 - now

  Project Manager & Investment Analyst in Sustainable Agriculture