Erin Irish

Erin Irish is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Biology at the University of Iowa. She holds a PhD from Indiana University. Her research focuses on plant developmental genetics, particularly the regulation of shoot meristem determinacy in maize and tomato. Key areas include phase transitions, epigenetic control, and meristem cell fate. Her lab uses meristem culture techniques to study rejuvenation and signal integration between meristems and leaves. She explores how environmental and genetic factors influence plant architecture and reproductive timing.

• Education: PhD in Biology, Indiana University
• Affiliations: Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Research interests emphasize the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing meristem behavior, including how leaves signal meristems to trigger phase changes. Recent work highlights the role of jasmonic acid and hydrogen sulfide in plant growth regulation, as well as the evolutionary implications of meristem cell quiescence. Her studies bridge basic developmental biology with agricultural applications.

Publications span over three decades, with recent focus on transcriptomics, gene families like WOX, and chemical agents for crop enhancement. She has pioneered techniques in gametophyte transformation and meristem culture to dissect developmental pathways in plants like Ceratopteris and maize.