Honouring Dr. Sue Grayston’s Career in Soil Science

After an extensive career in soil microbial ecology, Dr. Sue Grayston, Professor in Applied Biology (joint appointment with Forestry) is retiring. Her groundbreaking research and dedication to teaching have left a lasting mark on the field of environmental sciences. From her roots in Yorkshire, England, to her pivotal role in sustainable forest management research, Dr. Grayston’s career has been defined by her passion for soil science and her commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists.

Early Journey in Soil Science

Dr. Grayston’s fascination with soils began early in life. Growing up in Yorkshire, her love for the natural world was nurtured by helping her mother in the garden, where she first developed an appreciation for the complexities of soil.

She earned her bachelor’s and PhD in microbiology from the University of Sheffield, where she found her calling working on projects in soil ecology. “I had so much fun completing an honours project during that final term,” she recalls after working with the only ecologist in the department. This led to postdoctoral research at the University of Saskatchewan, where she worked on sulfur-oxidizing bacteria as inoculants for canola plants, and then became a research fellow with MicroBio Rhizogen Corp., an agricultural biotech company in Saskatoon evaluating microbial nitrogen fixers for wheat.

After five years in Canada she moved to Aberdeen, Scotland working for a decade as a principal scientist at the Scottish Government’s Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, and initiating the first UK soil biodiversity project. However, she realized that North America was where she wanted to settle down. “After returning to the UK I knew within a week that I wanted to be back in Canada. The UK didn’t feel like home anymore. I missed the people,” she says.

Advancing Forest Management Practices

In 2003, Dr. Grayston joined UBC as a Canada Research Chair in soil microbial ecology, a joint position in the Faculties of Forestry and Land and Food Systems. Her research, which employed innovative molecular and stable isotope probing methods, focused on understanding the diversity and function of soil microorganisms in forest ecosystems. Her work has been integral to studies on sustainable forest management, climate change, and land reclamation.

Dr. Grayston’s research has practical implications for forest management practices. Her studies have shown the importance of maintaining living roots in soil to sustain microbial and faunal communities in soils, particularly in relation to harvesting methods. She has advised forestry companies and government agencies on how to minimize the impact of logging on soil biodiversity, by practicing “continuous root forestry” and selective logging, noting that clear-cutting significantly disrupts soil organisms vital for forest health.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Teaching

Beyond her teaching, Dr. Grayston has been a passionate educator, teaching courses in soil processes, soil management, and below-ground ecology at UBC and the Haida Gwaii Institute. Many of the undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows she has mentored have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and consulting.

“Getting students enthusiastic about soil microbiology is one of my proudest achievements,” she says. “It’s difficult to get students excited about microorganisms that are hard to see, but showing them how fascinating these organisms are makes all the difference.”

Her innovative approach to teaching includes co-developing courses that integrate hands-on experience with cutting-edge research. Dr. Grayston has also collaborated with colleagues to teach methods of soil analysis with current LFS researchers Drs. Sandra Brown, Maja Krzic, and Jean-Thomas Cornelis.

Advice for the Next Generation

As Dr. Grayston prepares for retirement, she offers valuable advice to young scholars aspiring to work in academia. “Get involved in the community, understand what’s important to people, and have a lot of conversations,” she advises. Her emphasis on building relationships and collaborating on research projects has been a cornerstone of her career, enabling her to work with diverse groups on meaningful, real-world problems.

Dr. Grayston’s impact at UBC and beyond will be remembered for years to come, both in the research she pioneered and the students she inspired. Though her formal role has ended, Dr. Grayston’s influence will undoubtedly continue to resonate in the fields of soil science and environmental research.

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