Wood is much more than a construction material. It is a biological tissue that records the life of a plant, its interaction with the environment, and, in many cases, its use by human societies.
I study wood across scales, from microscopic cells to archaeological objects and forest ecosystems. My research combines fundamental and applied approaches to understand wood structure, function, history, and diversity.
Wood Anatomy
Wood anatomy investigates the structure and organisation of wood tissues. Our research examines variation in anatomical features across species, individuals, and environments, with the aim of understanding how wood structure reflects biological processes and ecological strategies.
We combine traditional microscopy with quantitative approaches to study topics such as species discrimination, anatomical plasticity, growth-ring formation, and the relationships between wood structure and function. This work contributes to both basic plant science and practical applications in wood identification and material characterisation.
Xylem Biology
Xylem is the tissue responsible for water transport, mechanical support, and long-term carbon storage in plants. Our research investigates how xylem develops and functions, and how its structure responds to environmental and physiological factors.
Current interests include wood formation, cell wall lignification, hydraulic architecture, anatomical responses to climate, and the links between plant development and wood structure. By integrating anatomy, physiology, and ecology, we aim to better understand the processes that shape wood throughout the life of a plant.
Wooden Cultural Heritage
Wooden objects preserve information that extends beyond their shape, decoration, and function. They also retain evidence of biological origin, technological choices, environmental history, and patterns of use.
Our research develops non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches for the study of historical and archaeological wooden objects. Working in collaboration with museums, conservators, archaeologists, and heritage scientists, we investigate artefacts ranging from Ancient Egyptian coffins and sculptures to historic timber structures. The goal is to reveal the multiple layers of information preserved within wood while respecting the integrity of cultural heritage objects.
Wood Identification
Wood identification is the process of determining the botanical origin of wood samples through the observation of their anatomical characteristics. Our research focuses on developing and applying identification methods to modern and historical materials, with particular attention to cultural heritage, timber trade, forensic investigations, and archaeological remains.
We investigate the diagnostic value of anatomical features, develop practical identification approaches, and explore how digital tools can support traditional expertise. Accurate wood identification contributes to understanding resource use, verifying timber provenance, detecting protected species, and supporting conservation decisions.
Dendrochronology
Tree rings provide a unique archive of time preserved within wood. Our dendrochronological research explores how growth-ring patterns can be used to date wooden objects, reconstruct environmental conditions, and investigate the origin of timber.
We work on both living trees and historical materials, including archaeological and museum objects. Particular emphasis is placed on developing methods suitable for challenging materials, such as artefacts with limited accessibility, short ring sequences, or unusual growth patterns. Through tree-ring analysis, wood becomes a source of chronological, environmental, and historical information.