Allison Miller

Allison Miller is a Professor of Biology at Saint Louis University (SLU) and Principal Investigator at the Danforth Plant Science Center. Her research focuses on perennial plant diversity and evolution, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture. She leads the NSF-funded New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute, aiming to develop perennial crops for ecological and agricultural benefits. Miller’s work integrates genetic, genomic, and phenotypic analyses to understand plant responses to environmental challenges.

She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. Her research spans rootstock-scion interactions in grapevines, domestication of herbaceous perennials, and conservation of plant genetic resources. Collaborators include institutions like The Land Institute and Missouri Botanical Garden.

Key projects include studying root systems' influence on plant traits, leveraging high-throughput phenomics for crop improvement, and documenting wild perennial species for pre-breeding programs. Miller’s lab employs advanced technologies like PlantCV for field data analysis and genomic tools to accelerate domestication timelines.

Her roles extend beyond research: she directs the New Roots Institute, serves as a Research Associate at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and sits on the editorial board of *Plants, People, Planet*. Grants include NSF funding for projects on rootstock effects and perennial grain development.

Miller advocates for botanic gardens' roles in conservation and education, emphasizing their contributions to food security and biodiversity preservation. Her team includes graduate students, postdocs, and international collaborators, advancing both basic science and applied agricultural solutions.