Susan Seal

Professor Susan Seal is a Professor of Molecular Biology and Principal Scientist at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), part of the University of Greenwich's Faculty of Engineering and Science. She holds the additional role of Postgraduate Studies Lead at NRI. Her career spans over three decades, beginning with a BSc in Microbiology from Imperial College (1984) and a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Bath (1987), focusing on plant pathogen genetics. She has extensive postdoctoral experience, including developing DNA-based diagnostics for tropical plant pathogens at The Sainsbury Laboratory. Since joining NRI in 1992, she has led molecular diagnostic laboratories, established overseas labs in developing countries, and taught MSc courses in molecular diagnostics, plant pathology, and GM crops.

Her research group, the Molecular Virology and Entomology Research Group at NRI, focuses on applied and strategic research to control pests and diseases of tropical food crops, particularly cassava, sweet potato, yams, and vegetables. These crops are critical to food security and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her work emphasizes molecular diagnostics, whitefly species complexes, virus management, and sustainable agricultural practices. She has pioneered rapid diagnostic tools like RT-RPA and RT-LAMP for detecting plant viruses and contributed to understanding the genetic basis of whitefly pest behavior and vector competence.

Her research spans genomic analysis of pest species, host-plant interactions, and the epidemiology of plant diseases affecting tropical crops. She collaborates globally to address agricultural challenges in developing nations, with a focus on improving diagnostic capacity and mitigating vector-borne pandemics. Her teaching and lab leadership have trained numerous scientists in molecular techniques critical for agricultural research.