Barry J. Micallef

Barry J. Micallef is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College. His work focuses on enhancing greenhouse vegetable productivity through physiological and genetic insights. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agriculture and Horticulture from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research Interests:
Dr. Micallef’s research revolves around three core objectives:
- Improving Harvest Index: Developing a unifying theory for whole plant development via the 'diel growth cycle interaction hypothesis,' emphasizing carbon transport and organ interactions.
- Low Light Productivity: Examining carbon transport bottlenecks under low light and exploring seedless cultivars and carbon supplementation strategies.
- Lower Temperature Adaptation: Evaluating temperature-sensitive cultivars and genetic variants to reduce energy costs in greenhouse systems.

Advising & Grants:
His research involves generating transgenic plants, isolating mutants, and employing advanced techniques like radiolabeled compound analysis and metabolite profiling. While no specific grants or advisees are listed, his projects suggest active involvement in graduate student mentorship and collaborative funding efforts.

Labs & Facilities:
Research is conducted in the Crop Science Building, leveraging growth facilities and technologies at the University of Guelph’s Plant Agriculture Department. The lab focuses on integrated approaches spanning molecular genetics to whole-plant physiology.