Dr Jessica Rigg has over 10 years’ experience in applied soil microbiology. Jessica is passionate about plant-soil microbe interactions. In particular, how soil microbial processes influence the ‘carbon economy’ in soil, specifically through plant performance, nutrient cycling and soil function. Jessica has worked between the scientific research community, industry and producers to navigate the opportunities (and challenges) presented by the use biotechnology to capitalise on beneficial microbial processes. This can increase agricultural productivity, profitability and resilience, as well as enhancing environmental outcomes.
Previously, Jessica led the Australian Inoculants Research Group (AIRG) of NSW Department of Primary Industries to drive legume inoculant quality including authenticating and supplying Australia’s commercial rhizobial strains to industry annually. In this role, Jessica worked closely with several industry stakeholders and represented NSW DPI on National N-Fixation and organic amendment committees. Jessica has also worked on characterising how management techniques (sub-soil amendments, strategic tillage and microbial inhibitors) influence soil microbial function and the implications of this for agricultural production, carbon and sequestration.
Jessica was awarded her PhD from Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), Western Sydney University for considering how soil microbes could influence the conservation outcomes of the critically endangered Wollemi pine.
Jessica brings her knowledge and experience to Select Carbon to use biotechnology to optimise carbon sequestration in soil and vegetation projects and reduce greenhouse emissions from carbon projects.