Caren Chang

Caren Chang is a Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology (MOCB) at the University of Maryland, College Park. She serves as Co-Director of the Terrapin Teachers program and holds affiliations with the BISI-Molecular & Cellular Biology graduate program. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ethylene signaling in plants, particularly using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, alongside mosses and liverworts to explore evolutionary aspects of hormone function.

Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the California Institute of Technology (1988).

Research Interests: Dr. Chang's work integrates molecular biology, genetics, and proteomics to study how the plant hormone ethylene (C₂H₄) influences growth, development, and stress responses. Her lab investigates ethylene-independent roles of the precursor molecule ACC, uncovering its signaling functions in root development, reproductive biology, and abiotic stress tolerance across diverse plant species. Recent studies highlight conservation of ethylene pathways across land plants and algae, offering insights into terrestrialization.

Recent Trends in Publications: Her articles emphasize cross-species analyses of ethylene/ACC signaling, with contributions to understanding hormonal crosstalk (e.g., with auxin and TOR pathways) and stress adaptation mechanisms. Key themes include evolutionary conservation of signaling molecules and novel roles for ACC beyond classical ethylene pathways.

Awards: 2022-2023 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Award from the University of Maryland, recognizing excellence in teaching and research.

Labs/Teams: Her research group collaborates broadly, including with researchers like Bart Van de Poel (University of Melbourne) on comparative ethylene studies. The lab employs state-of-the-art proteomic and genetic approaches to dissect signaling networks.