Cathie Martin

Professor Cathie Martin is a Group Leader at the John Innes Centre and Professor at the University of East Anglia. Her research bridges fundamental and applied plant science, focusing on diet-health relationships and crop biofortification with polyphenols to combat chronic diseases. She leads international collaborations, including a major project on flavonoid bioactives in Chinese medicinal plants.

• Academic rank: Professor
• Institutional affiliation: John Innes Centre (Norwich Research Park), University of East Anglia

Research Interests: Cathie’s work spans plant metabolic engineering for nutritional enhancement, biofortification of fruits/vegetables with anthocyanins and resveratrol, genetic screens for toxin-free crops, and cellular specialization in plant-environment adaptation. Her lab explores molecular mechanisms of flower pigmentation and phytonutrient delivery systems.

Publication Trends: Recent studies (2022–2025) emphasize genome sequencing, metabolic pathway elucidation (e.g., furanoclerodanes, proanthocyanidins), and translational research from lab to market. Key journals include Nature Communications, Plant Communications, and ACS Food Science & Technology.

Scientific Awards:
• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)

Advising & Collaborations: Her alumni include 17 PhD researchers. She collaborates with clinical scientists, plant breeders, and international institutions, notably in China. Funding sources include BBSRC and EU grants.