Paul A. Beales

Paul Beales is a senior plant pathologist who works for the UK's plant health and seeds inspectorate. Completing his Ph.D. at the University of Hertfordshire on Rhododendron powdery mildew, he took up the role of plant disease diagnostician at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera Science Ltd.) before moving to the animal and plant health agency where he heads up its plant technical extension team. He is a specialist in both indigenous and non-indigenous plant pathogens, and has been involved with identifying, discovering, researching and publishing new pathogens from around the world. In his current role, he works closely with Defra, consulting on new plant pest and disease threats and raising awareness of plant health to the trade and public through publications, engagement and training activities.