Grace Hoysted

Grace Hoysted is an Assistant Professor in Biology at Maynooth University, affiliated with the Human Health Institute and the Sustainable Ecosystems Group (SEG). Her expertise spans plant ecology, soil biodiversity, and mycorrhizal fungi interactions. She holds adjunct roles at University College Dublin and has prior experience as a postdoctoral researcher and senior technical officer. Grace’s research focuses on plant-insect-soil pathogen interactions, mycorrhizal physiology, and agro-ecosystem dynamics.

Education:

• BSc Botany, National University of Ireland, Galway
• MSc Plant Science & Plant Biotechnology, University of Leeds
• PhD Plant Science, University of Leeds

Research Interests:

• Plant-mycorrhizal interactions, particularly Mucoromycotina fungi
• Soil microbiome dynamics and tripartite interactions
• Climate change impacts on root function and nutrient exchange
• Ecological and evolutionary aspects of symbiosis

Professional Roles:

• Associate Editor, Functional Ecology
• Reviewer for PNAS, New Phytologist, and others
• Member of Irish Soil Biodiversity Research Network and British Ecological Society
• Chair of Maynooth University’s Curriculum Review Committee

Teaching:

• BI102: Biological Function & Diversity
• BI204: Evolutionary Biology
• BI303: Ecology
• BI352: Scientific Writing (Module Coordinator)
• BI425/426: Fungal Ecology and Science Communication

Grace leads a research project, A microbiome toolkit to optimise the holobiont of commercially important crops, and actively mentors students through PhD scholarships like the IRC Postgraduate Programme.