Marion Karin Seier

Where do you work?

I work at the centre of CABI, an international, intergovernmental, not-for-profit organization.

What is your main task?

I lead the Invasive Species Management Team at our UK centre and undertake research in the field of weed biological control.

What is your main interest in weed research?

By training a plant pathologist my focus is on assessing the suitability and safety of fungal pathogens as biological control agents for invasive plant species. Most of my work deals with agents for classical biological control, but I am also interested in using fungi as mycoherbicides, alone or in combination with low dose herbicides. Other areas of interest and expertise are Invasive species strategies, pest risk assessments and access and benefit sharing under the Nagoya protocol.

Which activities do you plan to promote to reach
the objectives of the Working Group?

It is planned to

• hold biannual meetings of the working group and/or workshops, where possible in conjunction with scientific conferences;
• engage with other EWRS WG through discussion of topics of joint interest and joint meetings;
• identify opportunities for the working group to engage in the promotion of biocontrol at the European level and the regulatory process concerning biocontrol agents;
• promote the working group with the international community of biocontrol scientists and private industry;
• identify and provide training opportunities for young scientists; 
• pursue joint project proposals in the field of biological control of invasive plant species at the European level;
• support the submission of joint papers with particularly focus on “Weed Research”