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Lancaster University’s Professor Elizabete Carmo-Silva has been named Deputy Director of the internationally-acclaimed (RIPE) project.

RIPE is an international research project, led by the and involving scientists at Lancaster University, that aims to increase global food production by developing food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently with support from (Gates Ag One). Professor Carmo-Silva has been involved with the RIPE project since it was founded. She joined the RIPE team as a postdoctoral researcher in 2012, becoming a principal investigator in 2015, and an objective lead in 2019.

“I am excited to take on this role and work with RIPE Director, Professor Lisa Ainsworth,” said Elizabete Carmo-Silva, a Professor of Crop Physiology within the Lancaster Environment Centre. “Improving photosynthesis requires collaborative effort and complementary expertise. RIPE brings together a large team of dedicated and experienced researchers and is uniquely placed to deliver high-yielding resilient crops to the people who need them most.”

An internationally recognised expert on Rubisco, Professor Carmo-Silva leads the project’s efforts to improve the enzyme. Professor Carmo-Silva received her Licentiate (bachelor’s) degree in applied plant biology and her PhD in physiology and biochemistry from the University of Lisbon. In addition to her work with RIPE, she is the Director of the Lancaster Environment Centre’s postgraduate research programmes, and serves as Lancaster academic lead for the NorthWestBio Doctoral Training Partnership.

“The assimilation of carbon from the atmosphere enables life on our planet. For such a complex metabolic process, it should be no surprise that photosynthesis involves many reactions and steps,” said Professor Carmo-Silva. “Investments over the past two decades enabled the development of tools and detailed knowledge to realise increased photosynthetic efficiency and make crop yields more sustainable and resilient to future climates.”

Professor Carmo-Silva began her new role in January 2025. The leadership role was open because of the retirements of former RIPE Director and Lancaster Visiting Professor, Steve Long and former Deputy Director, Don Ort. Former Deputy Director Professor Lisa Ainsworth was promoted to RIPE Director, a change that was announced concurrently with Professor Carmo-Silva’s selection.

Gene Robinson, Director of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) at the University of Illinois, where RIPE is headquartered, said: "RIPE is a pre-eminent project at the IGB, leading research efforts in crop sciences and plant biology to improve food security.

“Under this new leadership, we will continue to see the important efforts of this research project thrive."

“I am thrilled that Elizabete will be RIPE’s next Deputy Director,” said Professor Ainsworth, C.A. Ewing Chair of Crop Physiology in the Departments of Crop Sciences and Plant Biology at the University of Illinois. “Elizabete’s experience and infectious enthusiasm for RIPE will serve the project well.”

Professor Peter Atkinson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University, said: “I am delighted to hear of this important appointment. This reflects not only Elizabete’s international standing in research on photosynthesis, but also Elizabete’s natural aptitude for leadership. I have been impressed over several years with Elizabete’s ability to bring people together around a common purpose. It is great to see that Elizabete’s research experience and leadership skills will be prominent in the RIPE project, which is so important in relation to one of the ‘grand challenges’ facing humankind.”

Professor Cris Halsall, Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, said: “Elizabete’s appointment is recognition of her tremendous leadership in the area of rubisco enzyme research and carbon fixation during photosynthesis. It also highlights just how well regarded Lancaster Environment Centre is in the field of plant-crop science.”