I am currently a PhD researcher in the School of Natural Sciences undertaking a project investigating Gymnopus fusipes, a fungal pathogen of native oak trees. Prior to this, I completed my BSc in Biology and my MScRes in Biological Sciences at Bangor University, both of which were heavily focussed on tree health and forest pathology.

• BSc: Biology
  2014–2017

The focus of my current research project is the fungal phytopathogen Gymnopus fusipes. Information on this fungus is lacking and the PhD aims to investigate the ecology and infection biology of the species as well as to develop a rapid diagnostic tool that could be used to identify G. fusipes infection in the field.

2022

• PublishedUsing a systematic approach to synthesize existing knowledge on Gymnopus fusipes ( syn . Collybia fusipes ), the cause of Collybia root rot
  Pettifor, B., McDonald, J. & Denman, S., Oct 2022, In: Forest Pathology. 52, 5, p. 1 - 14 e12766.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2021

• PublishedBacterial biota of forest trees
  Pettifor, B. & McDonald, J., Aug 2021, Forest Microbiology: Tree Microbiome: Phyllosphere, Endosphere and Rhizosphere. Asiegbu, F. O. & Kovalchuk, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Academic Press, Elsevier, Vol. 1. p. 161 - 173 12 p.
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

2020

• PublishedSurvival of Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans, Associated with Acute Oak Decline, in Rainwater and Forest Soil
  Pettifor, B. J., Doonan, J., Denman, S. & McDonald, J., Mar 2020, In: Systematic and Applied Microbiology. 43, 2
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review