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A Cambridge crop biologist who is developing sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilisers has today been named as a new Fellow of the Royal Society – the UK’s national academy of sciences and the oldest science academy in continuous existence.

Professor Uta Paszkowski FRS is Acting Director of the Crop Science Centre at the University of Cambridge, Head of the Cereal Symbiosis group at the Department of Plant Sciences, and a Fellow of St John’s.

Her research investigates how major cereal crops, such as rice and maize, communicate and exchange nutrients with beneficial soil fungi to enhance agricultural sustainability.

“Our work spans from academic discovery to translational science, with the goal of advancing knowledge and maximising the use of this symbiosis as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers in global agriculture,” said Professor Paszkowski, who is a Director of Studies and College Lecturer in Plant Sciences at St John’s.

“It is wonderful and not just a little overwhelming for me and my team to see this level of recognition for our science.”

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine.

Its fundamental purpose since its foundation in 1660 is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

Professor Paszkowski joins the ranks of Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Lise Meitner, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Dorothy Hodgkin as a Fellow.

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said: “I am delighted to welcome this newest group of exceptional scientists to the Fellowship of the Royal Society.

“Their contributions reflect the highest standards of scientific endeavour. Whether advancing our understanding of vaccines or exploring the transformative potential of mathematics and computation, their work exemplifies the enduring value of curiosity, creativity and rigorous inquiry.”

“Our work spans from academic discovery to translational science, with the goal of advancing knowledge”

Professor Paszkowski’s team works to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the development and functioning of soil-borne fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. This symbiosis significantly improves plant mineral nutrition and holds immense potential for the future of sustainable crop production.

“We study one of the most ancient and naturally prevalent plant symbioses with soil-borne fungi,” said Professor Paszkowski. “Symbiotic mineral nutrition is the strategy nature invented to ensure plant productivity; it is both fascinating and important at the same time.”

To facilitate the nutritional trade of delivering soil minerals in exchange for obtaining plant carbon, the fungus intracellularly colonises live plant cells. This extreme form of compatibility relies on complex, yet exquisitely fine-tuned plant-fungal communication that ultimately underpins the mutualistic outcome of this interaction.

Taking molecular genetics approaches, the Paszkowski team has advanced our understanding of the key signalling components mediating recognition and accommodation of the fungus in cereals. They have also unravelled the mechanistic details of the symbiotic nutrient transfer.

Future benefits of the team’s insights include the design of strategies for maximising the utility of AM symbioses across diverse agricultural settings.

Professor Julian Hibberd, Head of the Department of Plant Sciences, said election to the Royal Society Fellowship is ‘wonderful recognition’ of Professor Paszkowski’s excellent research, mentorship of others, and ‘very significant contributions to knowledge’. He said she had played a major role in shaping Plant Sciences at Cambridge and beyond.

Professor Paszkowski is already an elected Member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and the German Academy of Sciences – the ‘Leopoldina’ – and was elected International Member of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in 2025.

Sir Paul added: “Our Fellowship is strengthened not only by individual distinction, but by the diversity of perspectives and experiences its members bring. This incoming cohort highlights the truly international character of contemporary science and underscores the vital role that plays in achieving breakthroughs that benefit us all.”