A PHYSIOLOGY professor who researches crop productivity has been ranked as one of the world’s most influential scientists by a leading analytical firm.

Essex University’s Professor Tracey Lawson received her PhD from Dundee University before first joining Essex in 1999, and currently directs the university’s plant innovation centre.

Now, she is one of 579 researchers from the United Kingdom – and one of 6,938 worldwide – to have been recognised by Clarivate as highly cited researchers for 2022.

As a highly anticipated list in the world of academia, it helps define the "who’s who" of influential researchers, with Professor Lawson recognised as an authority in plant physiology.

Much of Professor Lawson’s specific focus is on photosynthesis and the water-use productivity of leaves, with her long-term goal entailing how to modify plants to grow more efficiently to feed the world.

Responding to her placing on the list of highly cited researchers, Professor Lawson said Essex University more broadly has been a leading establishment of plant productivity research.

She said: "I am delighted that in 2023 we will be opening our state-of-the-art indoor crop growth facility – the smart technology plant suite – to continue to our work to future-proof crop production in a changing world."