Tochukwu Chisom Iguh (2023-2024 cohort), (Apr. 7, 2026)The MPhil in Crop Science was a really exciting and eye-opening experience for me. I came into the course with quite a narrow idea of what possiblities are available with Plant Sciences, but the program broadened my knowledge and opened my eyes to the many opportunities in Plant Sciences.
From the lectures in Michaelmas term to the research attachment in Lent and Easter, everything was engaging and enlightening. I loved how the course brings together expertise from different institutions, including the Department of Plant Sciences, the Crop Science Centre, Niab, and The Sainsbury Laboratory, covering a wide range of research topics and fields.
The highlight for me was my research project in Professor Sebastian Eves-van den Akker’s group, where I worked on Exploiting Effectostimulins and Effectosuppressins for Plant Protection. This research topic introduced me to Effector Biology, a field that I have fallen in love with and now continue in my PhD. The lab was really supportive, and the combined outdoor activities with Dr Lida Derevnina’s group were definitely some of my favourite MPhil memories.
Overall, the programme is well structured and developed in a way that enables each student to discover their best fit and interests within Crop Science.
Karen Uchida (2024-25 cohort), (Apr. 7, 2026)I really enjoyed the MPhil programme and it has been an invaluable part of my career. We had many cohort activities including lectures and workshops. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting a farm to learn about regenerative agriculture from farmers which made me realise the importance of constantly thinking about the wider impact of research.
Having the opportunity to undertake a hands-on research project helped me discover my joy in pursuing research. In addition, writing an extended essay on a topic different from my research project unexpectedly sparked my interest in a new research area, which I now plan to pursue for my PhD.
Being at Cambridge also provided unique exposure to a wide spectrum of plant science from fundamental, molecular research to applied, field-based work. This enabled me to develop a broader understanding of the research pipeline and how different sectors are interconnected. There were many plant science events and seminars throughout the year through which I was able to meet and connect with people from diverse backgrounds across the Department, SLCU, CSC, NIAB and beyond.
I am very grateful for all the support I received from my supervisors and peers.
Eric Muia (2024-25 cohort), (Apr. 16, 2025)My experience in the Crop Science program has far exceeded my expectations. When I joined in October 2024, my understanding of the course was solely based on information from the department website. Since then, it has been an exciting and fast-paced journey, full of learning and growth. Michaelmas Term was particularly engaging, with a blends of seminars, tutorials, and intensive R statistical analysis training sessions. I enjoyed the practical components across the Department of Plant Sciences, the Botanic Garden, NIAB, Sainsbury lab and during a field visit to Hawk Mill Farm.
I was given the opportunity to select and rank my preferred research projects from a set list, I I am delighted to have been allocated my top choice: “Optimising pollination of Vicia faba for enhanced crop yield” in Professor Beverley Glover’s lab. Although my initial engagement in the lab suffered a slow start due to the demanding taught schedule, I was able to fully settle in at the start of Lent Term. The lab team has been incredibly supportive, and I am grateful for the guidance I have received during my research and data collection. The program’s transferable skills courses have significantly enhanced my abilities in literature review and scientific writing. These were particularly beneficial during the writing of the extended essay. The Course Coordinator has been consistently supportive, providing timely reminders and clear guidelines, which helped ensure smooth progress and timely submission. The extended essay accounts for 25% of the final grade, and the guidance provided was instrumental in navigating this task. While the R training was extremely valuable, the sit-in examination—which contributes 5% to the final mark—was admittedly a bit stressful. Nonetheless, it was a rewarding challenge.
As I move into the final phase of the program, I look forward to completing my data collection, conducting analysis, and writing my dissertation I am excited about the journey ahead and remain confident in the skills and support provided by this exceptional program. I am grateful to all support provided by the Pathway Directors, my supervisor, my academic assessor for the extended essay, the Programme Coordinator, friends and colleagues in the department, and my colleagues at the Crop Science programme. I have been privileged to serve as the cohort representative for the Crop Science cohort and this experience has helped hone my leadership and coordination skills. The wholesome experience and skills gained so far will be extremely helpful in my next chapter of my career.