Diane Saunders

Professor Diane Saunders leads a research group at the John Innes Centre focused on combating plant pathogens threatening global agriculture, particularly wheat rust fungi. Her lab pioneers genomic approaches to understand host-pathogen interactions and develops surveillance tools like field pathogenomics and MARPLE diagnostics for real-time pathogen tracking.

Research interests include:

• Molecular mechanisms of wheat rust susceptibility/resistance
• Climate-driven pathogen evolution
• Wild plant roles in disease cycles
• Point-of-care diagnostic development
• International disease surveillance networks

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong focus on: genomic surveillance platforms, stem rust resurgence drivers in Europe, and global strategies for durable wheat disease resistance, frequently employing cutting-edge sequencing technologies and cross-continental datasets.

Advises postgraduate researchers including Rita Domingues Carvalho and Sarah Bailey. Research supported by:

• BBSRC
• European Research Council
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)

Leads the Saunders Lab with postdoctoral scientists, research assistants, and students. Founded the Rosalind Franklin Women in Wheat initiative to advance gender equity in agricultural research through mentorship and career development programs.