As a Mycologist at BIOHM, I utilise fungito develop sustainable products from industrial waste. In transforming waste into usable products, we stop contributing to landfill and use an existing resource rather than virgin material. It’s a varied and exciting role that requires innovation, curiosity, and the capacity to adapt when things don’t go to plan. Working with living organisms is not always predictable, but that’s part of the funt At BIOHM we work with over 300 species of mycelium (the vegetative root structure of mushrooms) training them to consume commercial and agricultural by-products that would otherwise go to landfill such as food, construction and fashion waste, even plastics. I absolutely love the work I do and feel immensely proud to be working on something that addresses our climate crisis. For it to involve working alongside fungi each day, is the cherry on top.

Before specialising in Mycology, I was a Plant Health Inspector at Heathrow Airport, ensuring plant material entering the UK was free from potentially harmful pests and diseases.

I would advise students to study the subjects they’re truly interested in and explore carer options within them. Choose something that will take you a step in the direction you want to go, be that work experience in a related sector, developing a transferable skill, or working in another country to gain a different perspective of the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Reigate College, and felt the staff went above and beyond to set me up for life afterwards. I would 100% not be where I am today if not for the brilliant, supportive teachers I had at Reigate.

Ruth D’urban-Jackson

Reigate College: 2013-2015

Higher Education: Biology, University of Bath. Masters in Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, University of Exeter.

Currently: Mycologist, BIOHM