Our team carries out research on the beneficial impacts of plant and fungal diversity on human lives, primarily in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where nutritional, income, health and biodiversity conservation issues associated with plants and fungi are of paramount importance.
We provide a bridge between applied science and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Our research looks at global plant and fungal diversity to identify, conserve and restore priority indigenous plants and their uses for humanity: food security, human health and livelihoods.
We support local communities in partnership with external organisations worldwide by revealing the potential of neglected and underutilised native species through the conservation and use of seed collections.
With our expertise and knowledge of plant and fungal diversity, we support national institutions to help tackle challenges such as climate change and environmental sustainability. Our projects enable bio economic benefits for local communities.
We share our knowledge with global communities and partners through policy development, conservation and sustainable use programmes.
Senior research leader
Dr Tiziana Ulian
Research leaders
Dr Mauricio Diazgranados Cadelo
Dr William Milliken
Research fellows
Dr Martin Baruffol
Kew research fellow
Dr Efisio Mattana
Latin America projects coordinator
Dr Maraeva Gianella
ColPlantA research assistant
Fabio Avila
PhD students
Laura Kor
Understanding Colombia’s useful plants and fungi to improve people’s livelihoods, reducing inequality and gender gap by boosting its bioeconomy through the sustainable use of its biodiversity.
Useful Plants and Fungi of Colombia
Enhancing the ex situ conservation of native useful plants for human wellbeing across Africa and Mexico.
Useful Plants Project
Supporting reforestation through seed conservation for the conservation of useful tree species in the Dominican Republic.
Saving threatened forests of Hispaniola
Supporting reforestation through seed conservation for the conservation of useful tree species in Mexico.
Conservation of tree species in Mexico
Reversing land degradation and desertification in Africa’s drylands, boosting food security, and supporting local communities.
Great Green Wall
Identifying species of the Inga genus in the Amazon tho improve agricultural landscapes.
Improving agroforestry
Maintaining the natural capital of the Mexican forests through the conservation and research of useful native tree seeds.
Conserving native useful trees of Mexico
Preserving traditional knowledge and conserving wild edible plants in Jordan and Lebanon.
Restoring the traditional Mediterranean diet