Speaker highlight: Daniel Bebber, University of Exeter

Weather plays a major role in how fungal plant diseases spread and develop, and climate change is altering weather patterns globally, affecting the distributions and impacts of crop diseases. Daniel Bebber is Professor of Ecology in the Department of Biosciences at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant pathogens and the effects of climate change on crop production and host–pathogen interactions. At the BMS meeting in July, Dan will review recent developments in understanding these changes and how we can respond to new challenges to plant health.

Irene Teixido-Orries, University of Lleida wins this year's BMS & ISM Naresh Magan Lecture Award

Irene specialises in mycotoxin contamination, food safety and mitigation strategies in cereal systems, integrating advanced analytical chemistry, non-destructive spectroscopic technologies, food processing and emerging decontamination approaches. Irene’s award presentation “Targeting the few to protect the whole: grain-level strategies for controlling Fusarium mycotoxins in oats” takes place on Wednesday 15th July, at the BMS Annual Scientific Meeting.

Fungus-focused arts projects awarded BMS grants 

Two projects have been selected to receive BMS Massee Arts Grants: a lichen-focused sensory installation by Baum & Leahy, and an animation of fungal poetry by Paper Rhino. Outputs from both projects will be showcased for this year's UK Fungus Day, 10 October.