UK Team

Toby has a BSc. in Biology and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Bath. During his PhD, Toby worked on developing an understanding of how plants communicate with microbes where he used this knowledge to develop a new technique for producing disease resistant plants. Toby also spent time as a researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew working on the Millennium Seed Bank Project to develop cryopreservation and tissue culture techniques for storing and regenerating plant embryos. Since completing his PhD Toby has been on a mission to translate his academic knowledge into applications that are biodiversity positive and carbon negative which has culminated in the launch of Rhizocore Technologies in 2021.

Toby Parkes (PhD)

Jack, an engineer and entrepreneur, combines his extensive experience in technology product development with a passion for impactful science. He has a diverse academic background with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leeds, an MSc from Imperial College London, and an MA from the Royal College of Art. He has built a crane for the weaving industry, robots for insulation, and founded Doppel, a pioneer in mental health technology. His innovative spirit is reflected by being a published researcher, named inventor on multiple patents and has been recognised as a Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellow. Driven by a passion for transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications, as Chief Operating Officer at Rhizocore, Jack is dedicated to expanding our global operations and impact.

Jack Hooper

biotechnologist and a bioprocess engineer with ten years of experience in cellular processing and cell biology research, working at the interface of academia and industry. Ewa holds an MSc with distinction and PhD diplomas in Bioprocessing. She is well-versed in developing, establishing, optimising and validating manufacturing and analytical frameworks including scale-up and closure of bioreactor processes. She has a vast experience designing, executing, tech-transferring and overseeing projects (intended for GMP manufacturing) as well as building and leading high-performing multifunctional teams. She joined our team to contribute her passion for “growing things” and her expertise in bioprocessing to Rhizocore Technologie’s mission.

Ewa Guzniczak (PhD)

Paul Anderson

Paul, leading Rhizocore's Business Development Management, significantly drives our global expansion. With a rich academic background, including a BSc in Physical Geography and an MSc in Marketing and MBA from Strathclyde University, his track record in startups is exceptional. He co-founded a key geodemographic consultancy in Australia and was instrumental in launching one of the UK's first email marketing software companies. His expertise not only drives our business strategies but also embodies our commitment to sustainability. Beyond the boardroom, Paul's love for the outdoors, particularly paragliding and surfing, mirrors his dedication to environmental stewardship. These pursuits reflect his personal alignment with Rhizocore's mission to actively combat climate change. This blend of professional excellence and environmental passion makes Paul a key asset to our team, exemplifying our dedication to sustainable innovation.

Phil has a BSc in Pharmacology, MRes in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine, and as a PhD student researched the biology and natural products chemistry of rare British fungi. He has extensive experience in fungal culture isolation and maintenance, morphological analysis, fermentation, chemical extraction, analysis and purification. He has worked with a broad range of fungi, bacteria and plants, from Ectomycorrhizal Ascomycete species in pot-trials and in-vitro mycorrhization experiments, to the isolation, culture collection and fermentation of saprotrophic basidiomycetes, entomopathogenic fungi, the analysis of wild mushrooms and more. As Head of Research & Development, Phil uses his experience to help design and conduct experiments related to testing, improving and scaling up production processes, in vitro and polytunnel mycorrhization experiments, and utilises his background to develop novel bioremediation strategies.

Phil Schuler (PhD)

David Satori

David holds a master’s degree in Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity and Conservation from Queen Mary University of London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As a founding member of the Rhizocore team, he has spent several years exploring how fungi can be used to solve some of our largest ecological problems. He is a former Species Conservation Researcher at RBG Kew where he contributed to IUCN Red List assessments of tropical plant species.

Fran has a BSc (HONS) in Horticulture. During her studies she put emphasis on business management, soil biology and forestry. She has spent the last few years working for a large private sector forest management company, equipping her with a range of diverse skills. Fran joined in May 2023 as the European Business Development Manager. Her role is to build brand recognition and customer growth within the European region. She will coordinate with company executives and Sales & Marketing Team members to review our revenue strategies enabling us to maximise our customer reach and growth throughout our European region.

Franziska Scott

Rebecca earned her BSc (Hons) in Forensic Biology from the University of Strathclyde. Following her graduation, She commenced her career at a firm dedicated to the development of a PCR-based diagnostic platform for identifying target DNA linked to invasive fungal diseases. Subsequently, Rebecca dedicated several years to working for a leading biosafety testing provider within the biotech industry, gaining valuable experience in both virology and microbiology departments. In March 2024, Rebecca became part of the Rhizocore team as the Laboratory Manager at our Edinburgh site. Her role involves overseeing the daily operations of our R&D laboratory team and contributing significantly to our product development initiatives.

Rebecca Monaghan

Emma holds a BSc in Human Biology and an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Strathclyde. Her professional journey includes over two years as a Biotechnologist, where she mastered cell and tissue culture, emphasizing strong sterile techniques. Joining Rhizocore, Emma combines her passion for fungi and environmental stewardship with her scientific skills. As a keen forager, she deeply understands the importance of fungal diversity in ecosystems, aligning seamlessly with Rhizocore's mission of forest ecosystem conservation and rewilding. In her role, she is instrumental in monitoring and caring for the growing collection of fungal cultures, from field sample collection to laboratory cultivation. Emma's commitment to Rhizocore goes beyond professional alignment; it is a personal mission to contribute to maintaining and enhancing our woodlands for future generations

Emma Craib

Aoife holds a BSc in Applied Microbiology from Edinburgh Napier University and an MSc in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Strathclyde, which she completed in 2022. During her postgraduate studies, Aoife developed an interest in the mycelial structures of fungi while conducting research for a project on mycelium-forming bacteria. Aoife’s expertise extends to the screening of microorganisms from diverse natural sources, such as soil, to isolate and evaluate antimicrobials. Her interest in the interaction between microbes and their environment has been a driving force behind her scientific pursuits. Her knowledge and curiosity in the subject led her to join Rhizocore in 2023 as a junior laboratory technician, where she is committed to supporting the team’s research on ectomycorrhizal fungi in woodland environments through assisting in maintenance of production and research streams.

Alison Stewart

Milena brings a rich blend of international business management expertise and diverse sector experience to the Rhizocore team. A graduate of Napier University with a degree in International Business Management, her career spans high-end food companies like Pacari to automotive industry leaders such as BorgWarner. In these roles, Milena honed her skills in sales, marketing, and business development, establishing a reputation for driving growth and fostering meaningful client relationships.

At Rhizocore, Milena has found a profound connection to the company’s mission. Motivated by a desire to contribute to a healthier planet, she made a deliberate career pivot to align her professional path with Rhizocore’s vision of leveraging fungi and innovation for ecological benefit. As the head of marketing and market research, Milena plays a pivotal role in shaping our outreach strategies, understanding market dynamics, and nurturing client partnerships.

Milena is passionately committed to Rhizocore's goal of expanding earth's forests and believes in the transformative power of fungi and innovation to achieve this vision. Her work is driven by a dedication to sustainability and a belief in the potential for business to effect positive change in the world

Milena Carlot

Alison has a Bsc in Ecological and Environmental Science from the University of Edinburgh. During her degree, she developed an interest in understanding reforestation and how different organisms can impact woodland establishment. She has experience analysing remote sensing data to track the movement of invasive species and has carried out studies analysing soil samples to assess nutrient changes in commercial and natural woodland environments. She has joined Rhizocore to support their development of a mycorrhizal fungi product, where she will use her environmental background to support their research and lab work.

Aoife Mckenna

Maria James

Maria holds a BSc in Microbiology and has completed MSc in Medical Microbiology from the University of Manchester. During her academic journey, she gained knowledge and experience in identifying bacteria and fungi from clinical samples and other sources, and extensively utilized sterilization techniques. In her new role, as a laboratory technician, Maria has joined the technical team at Rhizocore where she will be supporting the growth of mycorrhizal fungi by applying her expertise in the maintenance and preparation of fungal cultures and adherence to good laboratory practices. Maria’s decision to join Rhizocore was influenced by the company’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. She recognized an opportunity to merge her personal beliefs with her professional aspirations. Maria is thrilled to be a part of the Rhizocore team and is looking forward to contributing to the company’s mission of enhancing tree growth naturally with symbiotic fungi and making a meaningful impact in the future.

Australia Team

Mark Adams

Mark has over 25 years of experience in leading environmental agencies and consultancies, with expertise in environmental restoration, law, policy, ecological research, and environmental impact assessment. Mark has led and supported multiple large scale environmental projects across various industry sectors and critical landscapes, delivering innovative, practical and robust outcomes for clients and stakeholders. Mark has also overseen the management and strategic direction, growth, and performance of the several companies. He is passionate about empowering scientific professionals to achieve significant conservation outcomes whilst advancing their personal skills and confidence to achieve enduring ecological results.

Róisín Moore

Róisín completed a BSc. in Biotechnology from University College Cork, where she researched the use of novel marine lipases for commercial use and production and was awarded a scholarship of biotechnology from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. She completed her MSc. in Precision Medicine and Pharmaceutical Innovation through a scholarship at the University of Glasgow. Since completing her masters, Róisín decided to combine her passion for mycology and bioremediation with her academic skills of biotechnology, genetics and microbiology and now specialises in developing cultivation techniques of mycorrhizal fungi. She joined Rhizocore in 2022 as a mycological laboratory technician and now manages our laboratory team.

Dr. Susan is a distinguished figure in the field of ectomycorrhizal fungi research, joining Rhizocore with an exceptional academic and professional background from the University of Western Sydney’s Environmental Research Institute. With a prolific contribution to the scientific community, evidenced by over 50 publications in refereed journals, her expertise in Australian ectomycorrhizal fungi research and field identification is unparalleled.
Her tenure at the University of Western Sydney between 1995 and 2013, where she managed the laboratory specializing in mycorrhizal research, has positioned her as a leading authority in the field. Dr. Susan is set to manage Rhizocore’s new laboratory at CicidaInnovations, bringing her rigorous academic approach to our research endeavours.

Dr Susan Cairney

Sequoia is a third-year Environmental Science student at Deakin University, who discovered her passion for mycology while learning to identify mushrooms in the forests of New Zealand. Sequoia is actively engaged in community education of fungi across Victoria by collaborating with citizen science groups, working with mycologists, and leading her own identification and foraging workshops in Mt Macedon. In a rapidly changing climate, where biodiversity is crucial, Sequoia views fungi as pivotal to improving planetary health. Sequoia joined Rhizocore in 2023 where she is aiding the expansion to Australia and curating the collection, isolation, and preservation of Australian fungal species. Her collaboration with Rhizocore reflects a shared vision of making a positive impact on the environment through the incredible world of fungi.

Sequoia Lewien

Tom holds a BSc in Environmental Science and an MRes in Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation from University College London. With extensive experience gained from research placements at the Zoological Society of London and the Natural History Museum, Tom's journey has been marked by diverse projects spanning trophic rewilding, DNA barcoding, and the biological drivers of freshwater pollution. His understanding of system dynamics and his passion for restoring lost and degraded ecological processes align seamlessly with Rhizocore's mission to rejuvenate ecosystems from the bottom up. Tom is our laboratory technician in Australia and specializes in ascertaining species identifications using genetic analysis. He is committed to harnessing ectomycorrhizal fungi for the benefit of our planet's ever-metastasizing ecosystems.