BIOGRAPHY

Xavier is interested in the interaction between different types of soils and different crop plants and in the complex combination of factors that influence nutrient availability, nutrient loss and leaching of nutrients to the environment. Xavier’s research, the development of an in-field diagnostic tool to measure available nitrogen accurately to mitigate losses to the environment, may help to correctly manage organic fertiliser needs on a certain field, protecting both the farmer and the environment. Xavier is one of 5 students involved in the AgRIA initiative, “designed to help new innovations reach commercial viability by supporting the rapid testing of ideas to solve problems in agri-food”. Xavier’s background is in plant sciences, having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology.