The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) takes immense pride in celebrating the achievements of Dr Katie James, whose deep roots in our community have blossomed into a remarkable career in environmental science. Katie’s journey—from a curious student to a leading researcher and educator at NRI—is a testament to her passion, perseverance, and profound impact on the natural world, both locally and beyond.

Katie recently completed her PhD, a significant milestone that she describes as both exhilarating and intense. Her research, which focused on the role of pollination systems involving multiple pollinator species working together to enhance crop production, yielded groundbreaking results. Notably, she discovered that hoverflies (Eupeodes corollae) in combination with bees (Bombus terrestris) in natural systems can increase the vitamin C content in strawberry fruit—a finding that has the potential to impact how we approach crop production, especially in areas facing nutrient deficiencies and opens new research into areas of plant defence.

Currently, Katie is channelling her expertise into further research, supported by grants that allow her to explore more deeply the mechanisms behind her discoveries. She is also exploring how pesticides/ biopesticides and climate change affect hoverflies and, by extension, crop yields. Her work is crucial in developing effective management strategies that can help mitigate the adverse effects of environmental changes on agriculture and builds on existing knowledge of complex interactions between insects and how this could benefit crop yield, efficiency, crop protection, and integrated pest management.

While research is at the core of her professional life, Katie is equally passionate about education. She dedicates a significant portion of her time to teaching, emphasising the importance of integrating research into the classroom. She believes that involving students in active research projects is vital in shaping the next generation of scientists. Katie's own journey was heavily influenced by her undergraduate experiences, particularly her time spent learning under the guidance of mentors like Dr Sarah Arnold and Dr Peter Burt, whose enthusiasm for entomology and ecology sparked Katie's enduring passion for insects and environmental science.

Reflecting on her journey, Katie fondly recalls moments that shaped her career. One such moment was during a field trip to the Lake District as an undergraduate, where she had a realisation while watching the natural interactions around her. This experience solidified her decision to pursue a career in environmental science. Another significant moment came during her PhD fieldwork, conducted in the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 lockdown. Working alone in polytunnels filled with strawberries and various insects, Katie realised the full extent of her capabilities as a researcher, having to adapt and change to various challenges in the field. These experiences, she notes, were both overwhelming and rewarding, marking her transition from student to independent scientist.

Katie’s advice to future students is simple yet profound: love what you do, be creative, build connections, and don't shy away from hard work. She emphasises the importance of choosing a field that excites you and a mentor who inspires you, as these factors are crucial to sustaining the long, often challenging journey of research and study.

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich, where Katie continues her work, has played an instrumental role in her success. The institute not only provided her with the academic foundation she needed but also offered opportunities that would have been hard to find elsewhere. Katie’s story is a testament to the quality of education and research fostered at NRI, and it highlights the institute's commitment to nurturing local talent and driving innovation in environmental sciences.

As Katie continues to explore new frontiers in her research and inspire her students, we celebrate her as an example of what can be achieved with passion, dedication, and a little help from the supportive community at NRI. Her journey is far from over, and we eagerly await the many contributions she will undoubtedly make to the field of environmental science.