Researcher Spotlight - Dr Estrella Luna-Diez
11th February, 2025
It’s #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience. Action Oak is proud to support the #WomenInScience who work hard to defend the UK’s native oak trees. We’re pleased to spotlight Dr Estrella Luna-Diez, University of Birmingham, who is working to understand the priming of defence in forest trees.
As a researcher at the University of Birmingham, I am passionate about uncovering nature’s hidden strategies for resilience. My work focuses on how trees, particularly oaks, respond and adapt to environmental challenges—research that is crucial in an era of climate change.
Trees face increasing threats from pests, diseases, and shifting climate conditions. My research explores a fascinating process called priming, where trees “remember” past stress and respond more effectively to future threats, much like a human immune system after vaccination. Through the MEMBRA project (Understanding Memory of UK Treescapes for Better Resilience and Adaptation – membra.info), we investigate how trees retain this memory across generations, shaping their long-term survival.
I also study how elevated CO₂ affects tree immunity. Using the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (BIFoR-FACE) facility, we examine 200-year-old English oaks exposed to future atmospheric conditions. While much attention is given to trees’ role in carbon capture, understanding how they defend themselves against threats under changing conditions is equally vital.
This research not only informs conservation strategies but also highlights the remarkable resilience of nature. By deepening our understanding of how trees adapt to climate change, we can better protect our forests for future generations.
You can connect with Dr Estrella Luna-Diez and the Membra project on the platforms listed below:
X: @ELunaDiez
Bluesky: @drelunadiez.bsky.social
