About
Dr Liz Rylott is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of York, affiliated with the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP). Her research focuses on phytoremediation, leveraging plants to recover metals from contaminated land and detoxify environmental pollutants, including explosives like RDX and TNT. Key areas include developing transgenic plants to remediate military pollutants and engineering plants to produce catalytically active nanoparticles for industrial applications. She co-leads the York Environmental Sustainability Institute's (YESI) Food, Water & Waste theme, emphasizing sustainable solutions to global environmental challenges.
Her work integrates plant biology, biotechnology, and environmental science. Notable projects include field trials of GM switchgrass for RDX degradation and the development of bio-derived catalysts from plant biomass. She actively engages in science communication, collaborating with schools and designing outreach activities to demystify environmental science. Teaching emphasizes plant science fundamentals, experimental design, and critical analysis of scientific literature, with lab projects centered on addressing humanity's grand challenges through plant-based biotechnology.
Dr Rylott's research spans plant-metal interactions, xenobiotic detoxification, and sustainable resource recovery. Her contributions bridge academic innovation and real-world applications, aiming to transform contaminated landscapes into productive ecosystems while advancing circular economy principles. She is based at the University of York, contributing to both research and education in environmental sustainability.
