As Laboratory manager for The Sainsbury Laboratory I am responsible for providing an excellent research environment in which our scientists can conduct their research. My responsibilities include the overall management of the service teams which support the laboratory, maintenance of cutting-edge scientific equipment, implementation of new technologies, negotiation with suppliers and compliance with Health and Safety, radioactivity and hazardous chemicals regulations.Specialties: I have a background in laboratory research in the field of plant-pathogen interactions, most recently working on late blight of potato, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans.I have also worked on various molecular aspects of important host/pathogen systems, including work on fungal pathogens of oilseed rape (Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Leptosphaeria maculans), barley (Rhynchosporium secalis) and perennial ryegrass (Epichloë festucae).