Dr Andrea Paterlini
Lecturer in Genetics Education, Associate Director of Teaching
- Institute of Molecular Plant Science
- Biology Teaching Organisation
- School of Biological Sciences
Contact details
- Email: Andrea.Paterlini@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
Room G26.B
Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences
University of Edinburgh
Daniel Rutherford Building
King's Buildings - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH9 3BF
Qualifications
2025 PGCert in Teaching for Learning in Higher Education - University of Sheffield
2023 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
2020 PhD (Plant Biology) - University of Cambridge
2016 BSc Hons (Plant Sciences) - University of Edinburgh
Responsibilities & affiliations
Member of Senatus Academicus and Appeals Committee - University of Edinburgh
Decolonisation Transformation Lead - College of Science and Engineering
Associate Director of Teaching (Year 2 Lead), Chair of Exam Board (Year 2), Learning and Teaching Committee member, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Committee member - School of Biological Sciences
Education Lead and Vice-Chair of the Outreach Committee - Institute of Molecular Plant Science
Deputy Chair of the Early Career Lecturers in Biosciences - Royal Society of Biology
Gatsby Mentor for the University of Edinburgh - Gatsby Plant Science Network
Undergraduate teaching
Y2: Genetics and Evolution (Course Organiser); Cohort Lead
Y3: Evolution and Ecology of Plants (Course Organiser); Genomes and Genomics; Developmental Biology
Y4: Plant Growth and Developement; Synoptic Exam, Research Project
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
No
Past PhD students supervised
Ryan McElkerney (Hons student 2024-2025)
Lucy Walter (Hons student 2025-2026)
Research summary
A plant can be viewed as an organised community: its members (the cells) are constantly exchanging nutrients and signals. Plant growth and development heavily depend on these interactions. Microscopic and structurally complex pores called plasmodesmata facilitate transport and communication between neighbouring plant cells. I am interested in the regulation of these structures. Local molecular factors can indeed dynamically alter the aperture of plasmodesmata, influencing the extent of trafficking across them. My current research focuses on the role of callose, a polysaccharide enriched in the cell wall around plasmodesmata.
Exchanges between students and educators are similarly essential: they enable reciprocal development. As a community of learners, we influence each other's view of the world. My teaching goal is to help students grow into the leaders of tomorrow. I hope they will use their scientific knowledge to best support the societies of the future. Many students (and people in general) overlook plants and their importance in our ecosystems and societies. The term plant awareness disparity is used to describe this situation. To address this, my educational research explores teaching strategies that can improve plant perception and student engagement with this field of biology.
Invited speaker
2026 "ER protein quality control components influence callose enzymes and plasmodesmal transport" - European Network for Plant Endomembrane Research - Sofia (Bulgaria)
2026 "A manifesto for Plant Science Education" - Botanic Gardens Education Network - Online
2023 "Plant Science Teaching: framing of Content, interactive Approaches and diverse Voices at the centre of our practice" - Genetics Society Seed Plant Research Meeting - Durham (UK)
2023 "Developing as an Educator" - Plantae Presents: Enhancing Teaching Skills for Plant Scientists - Online
Organiser
2027 Plant Biology Education 2: Partnerships, Learning, Audiences and Networks for Teaching (PLANT) - Cambridge (UK)
2025 Plant Biology Education: a Vision for the Future - Lancaster (UK)
2025 Gaining and evidencing inclusive education skills - Online
2024 Biosciences Career Progression through Pedagogy - Bath (UK)