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Elin Falla

@elinfalla.bsky.social

Plant Sciences PhD student at University of Cambridge. Theoretical & Computational Epidemiology. Mathematical modelling of aphid-transmitted NPT viruses. ‪@bspp.bsky.social‬ Ambassador

Posts Replies Media

Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

My second first-author paper from my PhD is out! (co-author @nikcunniffe.bsky.social) Read about how planting a companion crop alongside a main crop confers disease control benefits for aphid-transmitted plant viruses, by changing aphid behaviour: doi.org/10.1111/ppa....

A figure from the paper, with three plots. The left plot shows the proportion of infected plants over time, showing that having trap (attractive) or repellent companion plants decreases disease incidence compared to basic companions or no control. The centre plot is number of uni-infective aphids over time, showing how the number of aphids is decreased for repellent companions, but increased for trap companions. The right plot is the number of infective aphids over time, showing that all companion plant options reduce the number of infective aphids over time.

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

I'm incredibly pleased to say I have passed my PhD viva, with no corrections required. I am very thankful to many people, particularly my supervisor @nikcunniffe.bsky.social, and my partner, friends and family who have supported me throughout. @caiuscollege.bsky.social @camplantsci.bsky.social

Screenshot of the front page of my PhD thesis, titled "Understanding plant virus manipulation of their hosts: Mathematical modelling of non-persistent viruses and their aphid vectors in plant disease epidemics"

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

The preprint of my second first-author paper (with @nikcunniffe.bsky.social) is out! Read to find out how virus-resistant companion plants can control spread of non-persistently transmitted plant viruses: www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.31220... @camplantsci.bsky.social @caiuscollege.bsky.social

Diagram of the compartments in my mathematical disease model and the rates at which individuals flow between them. Compartments are healthy plants, infected plants, resistant (companion plants), un-infective aphids and infective aphids.

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

My talk at the Plant Pathology conference #PPATH24 won the PH Gregory Prize for best student talk! Thanks to @BS_PP for organizing such a great conference

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 26/07/2024

I’ve been in Spain this week to give a talk on my PhD work at the European Conference on Mathematical and Theoretical Biology. Thanks to the organisers for hosting such a great event in the (very very) sunny Toledo! #ECMTB24

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 16/05/2024

The preprint of my very first first-author paper (with @nikcunniffe) is out!! Have a read to find out why models of non-persistent plant virus transmission should include aphid vector dispersal and feeding behaviours @cambridgesbs @plantsci @CaiusCollege doi.org/10.31220/agriR…

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 10/04/2024

Talk completed! I had a great time talking about my and @nikcunniffe ‘s model, and how virus-induced plant phenotypes can affect aphid behavior and virus transmission. Takeaway = remember to model the vector! Thanks @MikabAley + @UnderGardener1 for your excellent questions #iew13

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 09/04/2024

Great to be at the 13th International Epidemiology Workshop in Brazil! Interesting first day of talks; I’m excited to present my work tomorrow morning on modelling aphid behavior to understand NPT virus manipulation of host plants #iew13

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 01/11/2023

Recently I did a poster + flash talk at the British Crop Production Council Diseases Review 2023 - was super interesting to hear diverse perspectives on balancing food security and environmental responsibility! Photo below of me and the other presenters 🥬

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 23/08/2023

My final presentation of conference season approaches! Tomorrow (Thurs) I'll be talking about my work at #ICPP2023 in the "Modelling and analysis to better understand and predict epidemics" session at 8:30 - come along! My talk nicely follows up @nikcunniffe's great talk on Tues.

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 20/08/2023

From one conference to another! I’m in Lyon for #ICPP2023. Currently at the #episense satellite meeting, focused on integrating remote sensing and epidemiological modelling for disease control, where I’m presenting a poster of my work. Watch this space for details of my talk!

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Elin Falla @elinfalla.bsky.social · 13/08/2023

I’m in Denver in the US, ready to give a talk at #PlantHealth2023! I’m speaking in the “Interesting Topics in Virology” technical session at 12:30 tomorrow (Sunday) - come along to learn about modelling aphid feeding behaviors in epidemiological models!

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