Dr Diane Lister BSc MPhil PhD

Research & Communications Manager

I am a plant scientist currently based in the UCCRI in the David Attenborough Building, where I provide support for the various activities of the institute, including funding applications, communications and the Early Career Researcher Programme.

Biography

Career

• 2004-2021 – McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge – Post-doctoral Research Associate. Projects: Using crop archaeogenetics to trace the spread of agriculture during prehistory.
• 2020-2021 – Research Strategy Office, University of Cambridge – REF Impact Coordinator. Development of Impact Case Studies for REF2021.
• 2019-2020 – School of the Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge – Bioscience Impact Facilitator (Secondment). Assisting PIs and ECRs in making impact from their research.
• 2003-2004 – Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge – Post-doctoral Research Associate. Project: Flagellar biogenesis in Salmonella.
• 2000-2002 – Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge – Post-doctoral Research Associate. Project: Studying the transposition of DNA between eukaryotic organelles using the unicellular algae Chlamydomonas.
• 1995-1999 – Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge – Post-doctoral Research Associate. Project: Microbial transformations of morphine alkaloids.
• 1990-1991 – Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge – Research Technician.
• 1988-1990 – Department of Botany, Australian National University – Research Assistant.
• 1987-1988 – Moran Pathology, Canberra, Australia – Technician
• 1985-1986 – Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University – Technician.

Qualifications

• 1992-1995 – Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge – PhD in microbial biotechnology,
• 1991-1992 – Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge – MPhil in microbial biotechnology
• 1983-1986 – Australian National University, Canberra – BSc in Botany and Zoology

Awards

• Two prizes awarded by the Australian National University, for achieving the highest marks in 1^st and 3^rd year undergraduate Botany subjects – the Botany Prize (1983) and L.D. Prior Prize (1986).

Research

I was a postdoc in the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research from 2004 to 2021. I worked on several projects tracing the spread of agriculture during prehistory, using molecular genetic techniques to look for patterns of diversity and adaptation in crop species, which may reflect early human dispersals. This involved the analysis of crop landraces, farmer’s traditional varieties that are highly locally adapted, and vitally important sources of genetic diversity for breeding crops resilient to future climate change.

Publications

[Publications will appear automatically from the University’s publications database.]

Teaching

I have taught on the Archaeogenetics module of the Archaeological Science course in the undergraduate Archaeology tripos and in the MPhil in Archaeological Science, leading seminars, lab sessions and supervising project students.