Staff Profile
Dan Armstrong
Senior Plant Research Technician
Background
Current Senior Research Technician and PhD Candidate at Newcastle University, specialising in Vertical Farming and Hydroponic production, working alongside Innovate UK funded Project with infarm hydroponics who operate and provide hydroponic produce on the Global market.
I completed my BSc Hons in Biology (2014) at the University of Dundee. During this time I worked at The James Hutton Institute on specialist projects relating to potato crops; specifically, the interaction of Mycorrhizae with roots in drought conditions, and how this impacts upon plant growth; and the plant pathology around the spread of Blackleg, Blight and the development of detection methods.
I was subsequently offered a Clyde-Higgs Scholarship from the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust, and completed my MSc in Environmental Science and Agriculture with Merit (2016). Following this I worked within Secondary Education working with ages 10 to 18.
I have worked in a variety of technical support and research roles in Private sector, Research, Secondary and Higher Education settings.
Research
Projects
Hydroponics and Vertical Farming
Soil Quality
Plant pathology
Potato Mycorrhizae – Root interaction
Potato growth and production
Potatos in Practice conference (2014)