Meet the Farm491 member – Reyhaneh (Sonia) Pajooheshgar

Read our 5-minute Q&A with Farm491 member Reyhaneh (Sonia) Pajooheshgar, to find out more about her PhD research and her experience as a Farm491 student member. 

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Reyhaneh (Sonia) Pajooheshgar, and I am currently a PhD researcher in Agricultural Technology and Innovation at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). I began my second MSc in this field in 2022 and graduated with distinction in 2023. I then started my PhD journey under Dr Patricia Mathabe in 2025 as one of the first researchers in this emerging area.

Through Dr Mathabe, since 2025, I have also been collaborating with Sapperton Wilder (another Farm491 member), contributing to projects related to wildlife monitoring and sustainable land management.

With a background in teaching, agricultural consultancy, and crop science, I am passionate about bridging academic research with real-world impact. I enjoy working across disciplines, especially where innovation, sustainability, and technology come together to solve pressing agricultural challenges.

What were your biggest achievements of the past year?

This past year has been a significant step forward in my academic and professional journey. I contributed to a publication submitted to the UK Parliament alongside Dr Patricia Mathabe, focusing on technological innovation for global food security.

I also officially launched my PhD research on wildlife monitoring using drones, expanded my technical skill set (including Python, drone operation, and data analysis tools), and co-authored a research paper on AI-enabled UAV systems in agroforestry (currently under review).

Additionally, I was part of the winning team at the Rothamsted Research Data Hackathon 2025, where we received both the Public Engagement Award and the RAU Inclusive Agritech Impact Award.

What were your biggest challenges of the past year?

One of my most significant challenges has been securing sufficient funding to support my PhD research. In particular, access to advanced equipment such as AI-enabled camera systems and high-quality drone technologies is essential for my project, yet remains financially demanding.

At the same time, transitioning into a highly interdisciplinary research area required me to rapidly build new technical skills, including programming (Python), working with analytical tools, and operating drones. Balancing these demands alongside academic research has been challenging but has significantly strengthened my capabilities.

Adapting to a new academic and professional environment in the UK has also been a journey that required resilience, but it has ultimately helped me grow both personally and professionally.

What does working with Farm491 as a student member bring to your research?

Being part of Farm491 provides an inspiring and collaborative ecosystem that connects research with real-world innovation. As a student member, I benefit from access to a strong network of agritech entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry experts.

This environment supports the development of my research into practical applications and encourages me to think entrepreneurially, helping transform my ideas into impactful solutions for sustainable agriculture.

To get in touch with Sonia, visit her LinkedIn profile here.