Plants may appear peaceful, but beneath their calm exterior, they’re locked in continuous and ever-changing chemical warfare.

If someone had asked me a few years ago if I would like to do a PhD, I would have said; “what on earth is it and what does it involve?”

In the summer of 2015 I went to Prince Edward Island, on the Eastern coastline of Canada for my PIPS* placement to research the growing craft brewing industry.

I did a 3-month internship at The British Quinoa Company. This small, Shropshire-based company specialises in the production and retailing of British grown quinoa grain and products.

What is it like to start a biology PhD at a world-leading plant and microbial research institute? We asked someone who had done it for their thoughts and advice. Here is Jo Jennings...