About us
Life to Lab grew from our shared fascination and work with soils. Based in Scotland, we combine our backgrounds in soil science, ecology, farming and food growing to share knowledge, inspire curiosity, translate current science into practical land management, and help restore healthy, productive soils.
We believe understanding soil is an essential, yet still overlooked part of building more resilient food systems and ecosystems. Soil biology is at the heart of this. By creating and supporting healthy soil habitats, we can help transform the vitality of soils, plants and animals with benefits that extend throughout the food system and ultimately to human health.
Mary
Mary completed her MSc in Soils and Sustainability in 2024 with a Distinction from the University of Edinburgh/SRUC. She has broad knowledge of soil science, with a particular interest and specialism in soil microbiology within agroecosystems. She also has a BA in Economics.
She is interested in food systems and production, and has worked as a grower on a market garden and in community gardens. More recently, her focus has turned to all things farming and practical land management, where she works alongside Jamie as an advisor for the Soil Association. She also supports two projects at Rhyze Mushrooms on Chaga cultivation and vermicompost production.
Motivated in part by her own experience of chronic health issues, Mary has a particular interest in nutrient density and the connections between the soil microbiome, crop quality and human health.
Mary also enjoys science communication and making education accessible and practical. She has recently combined her illustration skills with her expertise in soil science to develop a series of educational infographics which will be available on this website.
Jamie
Jamie became hooked on soil biology after completing Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School course and becoming a certified SFW Lab Technician – he has been glued to a microscope ever since!
Jamie has extensive farming experience, having worked for several years on a mixed organic farm, where he also developed a lasting interest in livestock management. He also has experience in tree planting and management and was involved in regenerative projects at Lauriston Agroecology Farm. In recent years, he has been working with the Soil Association.
He also has a background and interest in ecology, particularly entomology, and brings a broad ecological perspective to soil health and regenerative land management.
Before his journey into the soil, Jamie studied music and remains a keen musician. When he isn’t peering down a microscope or listening to a John Kempf podcast, he’s usually playing his guitar!
