Richard Espley

Richard Espley is a Programme Leader at Plant & Food Research (PFR) with projects across a range of crops, including apple, pear, grape and blueberry. Richard worked on banana as a molecular biologist at Syngenta in the UK before moving to PFR in New Zealand in 2002. He is a molecular biologist focussed on the biosynthesis and genetic regulation of plant secondary metabolites. This has involved studies into the biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of polyphenols (particularly anthocyanins), carotenoids and alkaloids. Richard is interested in aspects of fruit quality and the dietary implications of foods with enhanced phytochemical levels.

During IWA 2019 will give a talk on "Filling the Void – boosting the nutritional value of blueberry" during the Biosynthesis and Genetics session.