Thorwald Stein, CROCUS Director, University of Reading
Crocus DLA Director Thorwald Stein is an Associate Professor in Clouds at the Department of Meteorology. He joined the University of Reading in 2008 upon obtaining his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Warwick and he became a Lecturer in 2015. Thorwald’s research focuses on remote sensing and modelling of convective storms, which are composed of the cumulonimbus clouds and lead to various weather hazards, including lightning and flash flooding. He leads several collaborative research efforts, most recently the evaluation work using radar and aircraft measurements from the WesCon-WOEST field campaign as part of the Turbulence Processes joint research programme between NERC and the Met Office.
Will Allen, CROCUS co-Director, Swansea University
Crocus DLA co-Director Will Allen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biosciences, Swansea University. He joined Swansea in 2016 after obtaining his PhD at the University of Bristol and postdoctoral positions at New York University and the University of Hull. In Swansea, Will leads the Evolutionary and Sensory Ecology (EASE) lab, investigating varied topics such as the evolutionary ecology of antipredator strategies, the function primate natal colouration, the visual ecology of pest species and the role of traits in dispersal and invasion processes. He managed the PhD programme in his department between 2017 and 2024 and brings this experience to the Crocus DLA.
Manuela Gonzalez Suarez, CROCUS Deputy Director, University of Reading
Crocus DLA Deputy Director Manuela Gonzalez Suarez is an Associate Professor in Ecological Modelling in the School of Biological Sciences. She joined the University of Reading in 2016, having obtained her PhD in Biology from Arizona State University in the USA and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Estacion Biologica de Doñana (Spain). Manuela’s research address conservation and ecological questions, working with various modelling approaches to identify the most vulnerable organisms and areas and reveal large-scale macroecological biodiversity patterns. She has worked with diverse animal groups from insect to reptiles, birds and mammals.
Peter North, CROCUS Deputy Director, Swansea University
CROCUS Deputy Director Peter North is Professor of Earth Observation and Environmental Modelling in the Department of Geography, Swansea University. He joined Swansea having been awarded a MA in Natural Sciences and Computer Science at Cambridge University, and PhD at Sussex University, and following a period as postdoctoral researcher with NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. His research interest is in the use of global satellite remote sensing to improve understanding of climate change, forest resources, fires and air pollution. He has collaborated with the European Space Agency in developing methods to study the Earth’s climate and atmosphere, and has worked with NASA on modelling new satellites and studying tropical forest.
Imogen Salt, CROCUS Doctoral Landscape Award Manager, University of Reading
CROCUS DLA Manager Imogen Salt is based at the University of Reading and is responsible for managing all aspects of the DLA’s admin activities, including the training programme, recruitment, finances, monitoring and communication. Alongside the other members of the Leadership Team and colleagues across the host partners, Imogen supports the day-to-day running of the programme. She is the first point of contact for any general queries about CROCUS. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider, Imogen is available as another avenue of support and will be available to signpost to relevant support systems throughout the duration of student’s PhDs.