Joshua Kaste is a postdoctoral researcher in the Plant Biology Institute (PBI) at EIT. He uses his experience in computational modelling and plant biochemistry to support Dr. Lee Sweetlove’s Cell-Based Bioproduction project.

Prior to EIT, Joshua worked as a molecular biologist in a contract research laboratory in the United States, where he developed assays to help detect invasive plant species and oversaw a high-throughput plant and animal genotyping facility to support agricultural breeding operations. After his time in industry, he returned to academia where he used mathematical modelling techniques to understand how the photosynthetic activity of plants, as well as their interactions with beneficial soil microorganisms, might be enhanced to improve the productivity and sustainability of global agriculture.

He has a BS in Plant Sciences from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Michigan State University.

When he’s not building simulations of plant metabolism, Joshua can be found watching movies with his wife and taking care of his cats Duchess and Gabriel.