New Senior Plant Scientist at LST - CC Foo

CC Foo

Agri-tech firm Light Science Technologies has expanded its team of scientists as it accelerates its growth.

Chuan Ching Foo, known as CC, joins the team as senior plant scientist, where she will take on full responsibility for the running and management of LST’s on-site lab facilities where new crop testing is carried out.

She will also support the company’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality, flavour and freshness of produce for CEA growers and farmers in polytunnel, glasshouse and vertical farming.

Bioscience in Brunei

With a background in bioscience, Foo studied in her native country of Brunei where she has a BSc in biotechnology from Monash University, Malaysia. In 2013, she came to the UK to study for her MSc in crop improvement, with a focus on characterisation of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) transformed with rice PsbS gene.

She then completed her PhD in photosynthesis and photoprotection in crops at the University of Nottingham, specialising in the improvement of photosynthesis through photoprotection in wheat and rice. There, she also served as a lab technician overseeing lab and growth room facilities.

Foo focused her academic research on plant canopies physiology and crop plants in different research environments (covering field, greenhouse and tropical glasshouse, controlled chambers and walk-in growth rooms) using different mediums of hydroponic, hydroleca clay, pot, tub and growth tank.

She has previously taught in student workshops and also worked as a research technician with Verdesian Life Sciences on a foliar biostimulants project and with Azotic Technologies, looking at the effects of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on photosynthesis in rice plants. She has also worked on numerous collaborative projects with global institutes including CIMMYT in Mexico, Lancaster University, CSIRO in Australia, and NIAB in the UK.

'Talent, experience and drive'

'I am delighted to welcome CC, who has the talent, experience and drive we need to take us to the next stage of LST’s strategic objectives in indoor farming and help build on the ongoing momentum we are currently experiencing”, said Simon Deacon, chief executive of LST. 'We are excited to utilise her expertise alongside further developing our award-winning technology to revolutionise agriculture and indoor growing.”

Foo added: “I am thrilled to join LST at a time of such ambitious growth. COP26 has highlighted the urgent need for us all to switch to a way of sourcing food that is sustainable and reliable, and through the use of agri-tech, has reinforced the benefits and potential it will bring over the next few years. To be able to harness my knowledge in crop science to create a more sustainable world is incredibly motivating and LST sets up the perfect opportunity.”