Aiga is a senior diagnostician and delivery manager for the mycology team at Fera. Aiga has over 15 years of experience and expertise in morphological diagnostic methods for a wide range of fungal plant pathogens on plants and seeds, including regulated quarantine organisms (such as Phytophthora ramorum, Fusarium circinatum and Tilletia indica). Aiga is also a registered Royal Society of Biology Plant Health Professional and a member of the European Mycological Network.

Aiga’s role is to ensure efficient delivery of fungal plant pathogen diagnostic testing for Fera’s Plant Clinic customers and APHA’s Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate. The mycology team use traditional microscopy as well as cutting edge molecular diagnostic methods for a wide range of fungal plant pathogens. Aiga has experience investigating host susceptibility to fungal plant pathogens when required as part of the diagnostic process, and participating in projects investigating specific pathogens such as Phytophthora pluvialis.

Aiga also provides training in fungal plant pathogen diagnostics for UK and international clients as well as the UK Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate.