The Singh Lab
Plant Molecular Physiology & Functional Genomics

Head of the Group

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Pallavi is a UKRI-Future Leaders Fellow and her research employs advanced interdisciplinary technologies to drive a significant improvement in agricultural productivity and sustainability. Pallavi was awarded the SEB-President's Medal (Plants) 2024. She also received the Young Scientist Awards from the Indian National Science Academy in 2019 and from the National Academy of Sciences, India in 2017.

Pallavi completed her PhD with Dr. Alok Sinha at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), India, followed by a brief postdoctoral fellowship with Prof. Adam Bogdanove at Cornell University, USA. She then moved to Cambridge, UK, as a John Henry Coates Research Fellow with Prof. Julian Hibberd. In September 2022, she started her own research group at the University of Essex, focusing on various aspects of photosynthesis and using natural variation and functional genomic approaches to enhance our understanding of complex traits such as water use.

​​Showkat is currently working on BBSRC-PACE grant awarded to Lawson, Simkin and Singh on 'Using gene technology for improving crop morphology for protected enviornments'.

His long term research interest has been understanding the regulation of abiotic stress responses of crop plants, particularly the regulation of stress-responsive gene expression. Currently, his research aims to enhance photosynthesis for higher yield by utilizing the crop natural variation and by developing new genetic resources through cutting edge molecular and physiological approaches. He intends to use this knowledge in his future endeavors to understand the effects of abiotic stress on photosynthesis and how genetic diversity can play a role in this aspect to mitigate the stress-induced harmful effects on photosynthesis. The outcomes will help improve the photosynthesis and yield, particularly under changing climatic conditions.

Piotr is Perry Foundation funded PhD student in Lawson and Singh Lab. His research focuses on non-foliar photosynthesis and water use efficiency in wheat ears, aiming to understand how these processes contribute to crop resilience. Piotr completed his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Essex, where he was recognized for achieving the best overall performance in the year. Piotr's research is driven by a passion for advancing plant science to address global challenges in food security

Shashi is a part-time Phd student in Lawson, Simkin and Singh Lab working on 'Gene editing for engineering dwarf pepper plants for indoor controlled environment cultivation'. He is the Director of Horticulture at Abbey View Produce Ltd. since 2022.

He earned his MSc. in Nature Resource Management from Pokhara University, Nepal and BSc. in Forestry from Institute of Forestry, Nepal.

Urvi is jointly working on BBSRC-IAA and British Council funded reserach grants. She is optimising stable transformation protocols in rice, millet, and banana.

She recently completed her BSc in Biological Sciences (2024) from the University of Essex. Her areas of interest include Cell and Plant Biology.

Urvi hopes to pursue a PhD in the future but is currently working in research-lab setting to acquire the necessary skillset before she begins her PhD program.

She is also a Gatsby alumna and a Plant Champion.

Her hobbies include travelling, dance and rock climbing. 

​Will is just finishing his third year as an undergraduate at the University of Aberdeen and is studying Biology. Over the past few years he has taken an interest in plant science, more specifically drought relations of rice crops. He hopes to purse a PhD in this field upon graduation. This interest was nurtured by his attendance of the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School in 2023 and will be continued by undertaking a Sainsbury Undergraduate Studentship with the Singh Lab in 2024. Outside of plant science, Will loves to scrapbook and crochet.

​Tisya Dewan is a second-year student at Imperial College London, studying biochemistry. She is keen on the topics of plant science and genetics, aiming for a Masters and PhD after she graduates. Outside academics, she enjoys long walks and spending time with dogs.