Andrew Leakey

Andrew Leakey is Professor of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding the Michael Aiken Endowed Chair and serving as Director of the $115M Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). He is affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and holds an affiliate appointment in Crop Sciences.

Leakey's research program focuses on integrative plant physiology, genetics, and genomics, with particular emphasis on plant water use efficiency, photosynthesis, and crop responses to environmental stressors including elevated CO2, drought, temperature, and ozone. His work combines genetic, molecular, biochemical, physiological, and ecological approaches to assess plant performance in both manipulative field experiments and controlled environments. The major focus of his group is understanding the genetic and physiological controls of stomatal patterning and photosynthetic water use efficiency through molecular and quantitative genetics.

Leakey's recent publications reflect his expertise in plant responses to environmental change, with emphasis on water use efficiency, stomatal function, and crop adaptation. His work spans from molecular mechanisms to field applications, often incorporating advanced technologies like machine learning, high-throughput phenotyping, and UAV sensing. His research has significant implications for crop sustainability and food security in the face of climate change.

Scientific Awards:

• Fulbright Scholar (2002)
• Beckman Fellow (2011)
• I.C. Gunsalus Fellow (2013)
• Calvin-Benson Award for Early Career Excellence in Photosynthesis Research (2016)
• University Scholar (2017)
• AAAS Fellow (2019)
• Massengale Lecturer, CSSA (2020)
• Teacher Ranked Excellent by Students (multiple years)
• Michael Aiken Endowed Chair (2023)

Leakey actively mentors students and researchers, with opportunities available through the Department of Plant Biology, Crop Sciences, and the Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology. His research is supported by major funding sources including the Department of Energy (CABBI), NSF, and Gates Ag One (RIPE project).

His laboratory operates at multiple research sites including the Institute for Genomic Biology and the SoyFACE facility, which allows for studying crops under production field conditions with elevated carbon dioxide, ozone, temperature, and altered water availability.