CHRISTOPHER STAIGER

CHRISTOPHER STAIGER is a Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and Department Head of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. His research focuses on cytoskeletal dynamics in plants, particularly actin and microtubule functions during development, environmental responses, and innate immunity. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1990) and has been recognized with awards such as the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologists.

Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1990.

Research Interests: Cytoskeletal regulation in plant cell development, host-microbe interactions, and signal transduction. His lab uses advanced imaging and genetic approaches to study actin-binding proteins and their roles in cellular processes like vesicle trafficking and immune response.

Awards: University Faculty Scholar (2000–2005), TEAM Award (2014), and multiple Seeds for Success grants.

Grants: Co-PI in NSF Biological Integration Institute (EMBRIO), NSF-MCB projects on cellulose synthase, and BARD-funded pecan root regeneration efforts.

Advising: Supervised Ph.D. students including Parul Khurana and David Kovar. Postdoctoral researchers include Xia Wang and Heping Zhao.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Motility Group and collaborates on projects like fimbrin regulation and abiotic stress signaling with international partners.