Professor Cathie Martin MBE FRS

Cathie Martin’s contributions to plant biology have combined plant genetics and metabolism to provide new insights into plant developmental and metabolic processes. Cathie has made important contributions to the understanding of cell shaping and to anthocyanin biosynthesis and diversity, using genes that control major developmental and metabolic pathways. She is now investigating the relationship between diet and health, how crops can be fortified to address the global challenge of escalating chronic disease. Cathie Martin is a powerful advocate and practitioner of the application of plant science for human health, and has taken a leading role in promoting training and integrity in the plant sciences. Cathie has a collaborative research programme in China on Chinese Medicinal Plants, particularly those used for complementary therapies in cancer treatment.

Cathie was Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell (2008-2014) and is now an Associate Editor for Plant Physiology. She is a member of EMBO, AAAS, a Fellow of ASPB and in 2014 she was awarded an MBE for services to Plant Biotechnology.

Professional position

  • Project Leader, Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre

Subject groups

  • Earth and Environmental Sciences

    Agricultural and forest science

  • Health and Human Sciences

    Nutrition

  • Molecules of Life

    Biochemistry and molecular biology

Committees Participated Role
Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships Committee January 2024 - December 2026 Member
Research Appointment Panel B(i) January 2022 - December 2027 Member
Sectional Committee 6: Molecules of Life November 2019 - October 2022 Member