Terry O'Brien

Terry O'Brien, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at Rowan University's College of Science & Mathematics within the Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences. His research spans plant cell culture, anatomy/morphology, and evolutionary biology.

• Education
  • Ph.D., Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley
  • M.S. and B.S. in Botany, University of Iowa

Dr. O'Brien's research focuses on:

• Production of plant metabolites from vascular cambial cell cultures for medical, cosmetic, and agricultural applications
• Evolutionary biology of plants, particularly mosses, ferns, and club mosses
• Using anatomical, morphological, and genetic data to reconstruct plant evolutionary relationships

His work has established foundational knowledge in moss evolution and trait development.

Scientific Awards:

• Hattori Prize for Best Publication in Bryology (2009, with NE Bell, D Quandt, AE Newton)

Dr. O'Brien teaches courses in genetics, biometry, aging biology, and plant diversity, and is affiliated with professional organizations like the American Society of Plant Biologists and Botanical Society of America.