Lou Ralph

Lou Ralph is a Senior Lecturer at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), affiliated with the Aberdeen Food Security Challenge Centre. He specializes in rural land use, agriculture, and business management. His academic roles include Programme Leader for the online MSc in Organic Farming, overseeing quality assurance, strategic development, and student supervision. Ralph holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (1997) focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mycelium growth.

His research interests center on mycorrhizal fungi dynamics, plant-microbe interactions, and sustainable agricultural practices. Key topics include root exudate effects on fungal hyphae, neem tree biochemistry for pest control, and organic farming education. His work spans both basic biological studies and applied agricultural solutions.

Ralph's publications (1992-2005) explore fungal ecology, plant defense mechanisms, and in vitro culture applications. He received the SRUC Excellence in Teaching Award (2014) for his educational contributions. Professional activities include validation roles for BSc Veterinary Nursing (2018) and MSc Agricultural Professional Practice (2015) programs.

He leads educational initiatives emphasizing distance learning and maintains strategic partnerships in agri-food sectors. Research collaborations involve interdisciplinary approaches to food security and sustainable land use challenges.