Dr Udayangani Liu
Seed Bank Data Resources Manager
Department
Team
Specialism
Bioinformatics, biodiversity conservation, seed traits, species prioritisation, decision support tools, data mining, databasing, data standards
As Seed Bank Data Resources Manager, I manage a range of databases (collection, functional trait and taxonomic) and tools (biodiversity informatics and management) and data standards used for ‘Banking the World’s Seeds’ and research and play a key role in collection acquisition, prioritisation, management and monitoring and reporting key performance indicators of the department and MSBP projects. I coordinate sharing of collection and trait data with the TRY data consortium, Genesys, JNCC, UK National Plant Inventory, Eurisco and BGCI PlantSearch. I am also responsible for developing and supporting income-generating activities, including consultancies and grant applications, for carrying out collaborative research, training and teaching and contributing to public engagement activities and science communication.
My own research is focused on analysing biodiversity data, developing biodiversity informatics tools, and prioritizing and targeting vascular plants for species-based conservation.
- PhD Behaviour Ecology, Univ. of Aberdeen, 2002
- MSc & PG Dip. Agricultural Univ. of Norway, 1998
- BSc (Hons) Univ. of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1991
- Commonwealth Scholarship, UK 1999–2002
- Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) Fellowship 1996–1998
- Sri Lanka - Ministry of Higher Education Merit Scholarship, 1985-1991
- Lecturer, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 1992–2002
- Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 1991–1992
- Visiting Lecturer, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, 1991
Liu, U., Breman, E., Cossu, T.A. & Kenney, S. (2018)
The conservation value of germplasm stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.
Biodiversity and Conservation 27: 1347–1386.
Liu, U. & Dickie, J.B. (2017).
Managing Ex Situ Collections of Wild Species' Seeds: Use of Biodiversity Informatics in the Millennium Seed Bank to Address Challenges.
Biodiversity Information Science and Standards 1: e20197.
Teixido, A.L., Toorop, P.E., Liu, U., Ribeiro, G.V.T., Fuzessy, L.F., Guerra, T.J., Silveira, F.A.O. (2017).
Gaps in seed banking are compromising the GSPC’s Target 8 in a megadiverse country.
Biodiversity and Conservation 26:703-716.
Rodríguez-Arévalo, I., Mattana, E., García, L., Liu, U., Lira, R., Dávila, P., Hudson, A., Pritchard, H.W., Ulian, T. (2017).
Conserving seeds of useful wild plants in Mexico: main issues and recommendations.
Genetic Resources Crop Evolution 64: 1141.
Goss-Custard et al. (including Fernando, P.U.U.) (2006).
Intake rates and the functional response in shorebirds Charadriiformes eating macro-invertebrates.
Biological Reviews 81: 501-529.
