United Kingdom
February 11, 2025
BSPB are celebrating the International Day of Women & Girls in Science 2025 by featuring stories from four scientists working in the seed industry, where they explain how they got into their careers and why they love it!
Clare Moscrop, DSV
“I came into plant breeding by accident, I wanted to work outside but career advisors at school and university told me there was no skilled jobs that looked like this. I literally typed “outside” into a job site search engine and found a summer job as a technician in a wheat breeding company. I moved across the country and got stuck in.
I loved the practical aspect, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed learning about breeding theory, pathology and genetics. When my term was over I was accepted in another position full time and have been in the industry since, working to learn as much as I can. Thanks to the support from my bosses and colleagues over the years, I’m now in a position where I can start using my knowledge to contribute to breeding quality climate-resilient wheat for the future.
I’d like to note that my career has come about from a female team-lead giving me (a girl with no experience) a chance for that technician job. I don’t know if I would have discovered this industry without her or another female boss who gave up so much time to train me”.
Jasmine Bremner, Syngenta
“At the same time, I took on a summer job at a vegetable breeding company. This opened my eyes to a different application of genetics that wasn’t human focused or purely research based. I had also had zero experience with vegetables at this stage. I change my major to agricultural science, and this proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.
After graduating, I took on a role in the R&D department of the same vegetable breeding company, but learnt hands-on skills to drive a tractor, spray chemicals, planting machines and more to deliver successful in-field breeding trials. This skillset allowed me to approach my current role with both a practical and scientific understanding.
I love how my role is in field and in office – this hybridity suits me. To be in the field and see the genetic differences in wheat and barley varieties is very rewarding, and visually interesting. My office is always evolving. I appreciate the position of my role in the nexus of a development pipeline with cool genetics, and, seeing if these new varieties can be useful to a farmer, and thus beneficial to our food chain.
I feel rewarded in my role when I see the innovation of science and the practicalities of the farmer are met. This allows me to feel like my role, and my career, is contributing to something tangible. I can eat my product, I can drink my product, I can see it in field and know I helped translate new genetics into food”.
Alicia Martin, Kings
“My agricultural journey started at a young age, having been born into a family farm in North Yorkshire. Since completing my agricultural degree, I have wanted to help steer other farmers and support their journey through knowledge and expertise in the seed sector.
I joined Kings in 2021 – after seven years previously in the industry – and found seeds such a fascinating subject with it being the starting point for all production. I find it so enjoyable looking at new and innovative ways to bring different crops and benefits onto farm, be that cover crops, break crops or forage etc and see them all playing such a vital role in a more sustainable way of farming”.
Sarah Hawthorne, DSV
I have been working in the plant breeding industry for over 10 years after completing my degree at Harper Adams University.
I love being out in the fields, especially in the summer months. My dad spent hours with me as a child showing me different plant species, and he was always eager for me to have a career in farming. I’ve been fortunate enough to fulfil both our dreams.
The seed industry is filled with some truly kind people who have helped and supported me throughout my career.
Topics
Species
