Working in the world of epigenetics, Steve Robinson is a research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Robinson was born and raised in Dudley, England, and has studied genetics nearly all his life. He began his post-secondary education studying genetics at the University of Birmingham, earned a PhD in molecular genetics from Newcastle University and studied at the John Innes Centre in Norwich before moving to Canada as a postdoctoral researcher.

He lives in Saskatoon with his wife and daughter.

What got you interested in this area of work?

Well, genetics seemed to be the area where you could be the most experimental in biology. This, combined with advances in molecular biology, I found fascinating. As an undergraduate student I found there were descriptive areas of biology that interested me less, and I was more drawn to experiments involving heritable traits – seeing changes occur over generations. I guess I have always been fascinated by genetics.

When I went to Norwich to begin my graduate research, my PhD supervisor, Derek Lydiate, moved the lab from Norwich to Saskatoon, bringing other Brits along with him. I was able to make many contacts while visiting and that is how we ended up here in sunny Saskatoon.

Tell us a bit about what you are working on at AAFC.

My work in the lab focuses on gene regulation and I’m particularly interested in the challenges resulting from polyploidy. I’m primarily working in canola and wheat, with the goal of improving these crops.

In one ongoing project, we are developing a method to introduce valuable genes from wild relatives into canola, breaking critical hybridization barriers. In another project, “Next Generation Fungicides: Translating dsRNA technology from the lab into the field,” funded partially by Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), we are trying to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat using RNA interference (RNAi). This approach involves trying to silence essential genes in pathogens, so you can spray double-stranded RNA onto the crop and, in this case, it would provide protection against Fusarium graminearum.

This project began in 2017 as a basic research project and has evolved into technology we are now testing in the field. Over the past eight years, we have advanced successes developed in the lab, and following engagement with the Canadian pesticide regulator (PMRA) to obtain research permits, we are now collaborating with other AAFC and external researchers evaluating the potential of RNAi in small, field-scale trials. Our goal is to develop new fungicidal controls that are safe to people and the environment, targeting only the pathogen of interest.

In another project funded partially by MCA, “Breeding hardier crops for SK: Dynamic phenotyping to dissect component of water stress in wheat,” we are screening a collection of wheat diversity using new equipment called a Plant Array Lysimeter. This measures transpiration and allows us to apply precise irrigation treatments to individual plants. We are screening for differential responses to drought stress. Our goal is to identify the genes that allow for greater production under drought conditions.

What can you say about the value of farmers providing funding and support to your organization?

This funding is critical. In fact, almost all my funding comes from farmers and producer groups. Without their support, we could not do the innovative experiments we envision. We are incredibly grateful to this system of funding that is available, as it ensures we focus on goals of importance to the Prairies. It complements the funding opportunities available within AAFC.

How does that farmer funding and support directly benefit farmers?

The work done in my lab takes time to reach the field. Take the RNAi-based fungicide project as an example. Within eight years, we have gone from exploring the potential of the idea all the way to conducting field trials. As these field trials progress, we will be looking for a commercial partner to bring the technology to market. When that happens, it will provide another solution for farmers to use in their arsenal to combat plant diseases and protect their yields.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

I enjoy playing most sports. Being from England, I’ve always played football, although here it is called soccer. I play on a couple of teams regularly; it gets me away from work and is a good distraction. Since moving to Canada, we enjoy skiing, so we try to ski whenever we can. If only Saskatoon was closer to the mountains.

What is the best part about your job?

The freedom to develop new ideas and design experiments to test them. There is great reward when you get to see the excitement of experiments working! At AAFC I work in a department that possesses resources to combine basic and applied research. That means we can take positive developments from the lab and bring them to the field within the same department, which has great value.

Who or what inspires you?

The people I work with. Their dedication and ability to turn ideas I have sketched out on paper into reality is incredible. It is important to recognize and retain these talents. Seeing the experiments succeed together is inspiring.