Rachel Spicer

Rachel Spicer is an Associate Professor of Botany and Chair of the Botany Department at Connecticut College, where she has been a faculty member since 2010. Her research focuses on woody plant biology, specifically studying how trees, shrubs, and lianas adapt, evolve, and survive in different environments.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. from University of Massachusetts at Amherst
• M.S. from Oregon State University
• Ph.D. from Harvard University

Dr. Spicer's research examines the structure and function of wood, vascular development in trees, and how these processes interact with environmental factors. She combines molecular biology, physiology, and classical plant development techniques in her work, with a particular focus on the model species Populus. Her lab frequently develops innovative techniques to measure previously unmeasurable plant processes.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on vascular development, auxin transport mechanisms, and the physiological adaptations of woody plants. Her work bridges molecular biology with whole-plant physiology, creating a comprehensive understanding of tree growth and development.

Scientific recognition includes:

• A three-year, $395,000 NSF grant for research on auxin dynamics during vascular development in Populus

Dr. Spicer actively mentors undergraduate researchers, with her lab supporting numerous student projects. Her NSF grant specifically provided summer stipends for up to ten students conducting independent research toward senior theses. She encourages students who enjoy tinkering, building equipment, and learning new experimental techniques to join her lab.

She directs the Spicer Lab - Woody Plant Biology, which utilizes Connecticut College's 750-acre Arboretum as a living laboratory for research on forest development and plant adaptation.