A University of Reading scientist has earned a top prize for his research on flowering plants.
Awarded by the Linnean Society of London, Dr Jamie Thompson was announced as the recipient of the Irene Manton Prize for his PhD thesis, deemed the best in botany from any UK university in the past year.
His doctoral work, 'Tempo and drivers of angiosperm diversification,' conducted at the University of Bath, delves into the dominance of flowering plants across Earth's terrestrial ecosystems.
By analysing tens of thousands of species with advanced statistical methods, Dr Thompson explored how climate change, geography, and evolution have influenced global plant diversity.
His findings established a strong link between global cooling during the Cenozoic era and increased diversification in terrestrial orchids.
The study suggests that decreasing temperatures may have driven one of the planet's most significant expansions of plant species.
His research challenged established views on succulent plants, revealing diverse evolutionary paths that contradict the commonly accepted connection between their emergence and planetary aridification.
Dr Thompson also used machine learning to identify five critical determinants of cactus biodiversity, creating a methodological framework for studying other plant groups.
Most notably, he provided substantial evidence indicating that flowering plants demonstrated remarkable resilience during the mass extinction at the end of the dinosaur age, surviving a global disaster that wiped out numerous animal species.
Dr Thompson's research not only enhances our basic understanding of plant evolution but also offers crucial insights for conservation efforts amidst global environmental changes.
On receiving the award, Dr Thompson said: "I always wanted to be an evolutionary biologist, and it is humbling to win the Irene Manton Prize for the best PhD in the field.
"It would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of so many people."
The Irene Manton Prize is granted annually for the best botany thesis examined for a PhD in a UK university.
It commemorates Professor Irene Manton (1904-1988), a pioneering botanist who made significant contributions to understanding plant ultrastructure.
Dr Thompson will be officially presented with the award at the Linnean Society's Anniversary Meeting on May 22, 2025.
In 1974, the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) acknowledged Professor Manton's substantial contributions by presenting her with the Bidder Lecture award.
In her honour, the Irene Manton Poster Prize was established for the SEB Annual Conference.
This accolade, open to students and early-career scientists, includes a cash prize for the best poster in each section: Animal, Cell, Plant, and OED.
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