Erik Murchie

Erik Murchie developed a strong interest in biology and plants from an early age with family backgrounds including forestry. He graduated from the University of Exeter in 1990 and then gained a PhD in plant ecophysiology (1995) at the University of Sheffield, UK, focused on adaptation of photosynthesis light in natural systems. A deliberate move into crop metabolism led to postdoctoral work at INRA Versailles (France), the University of Sheffield and the International Rice Research Institute ...See more

Erik Murchie developed a strong interest in biology and plants from an early age with family backgrounds including forestry. He graduated from the University of Exeter in 1990 and then gained a PhD in plant ecophysiology (1995) at the University of Sheffield, UK, focused on adaptation of photosynthesis light in natural systems. A deliberate move into crop metabolism led to postdoctoral work at INRA Versailles (France), the University of Sheffield and the International Rice Research Institute (The Philippines). Whilst a postdoc Erik developed ideas into acclimation of photosynthesis to high light in rice and wheat canopies that were born from his work as a PhD student and relevant to enhancement of resource use efficiency. From 2007- 2018 Erik worked as a lecturer and Associate Professor in Crop Science at the University of Nottingham (UK) where his group has worked with diverse systems including LED-based horticulture, and developing the area of 3D analysis of light distribution and photosynthesis in canopies. Since 2019 Erik has held a Chair in Applied Plant Physiology at Nottingham, studying natural genetic variation in photosynthesis in crop and wild species, water use efficiency and developing new tools for studying photosynthesis in the field. See less