Gloria K. Muday

Gloria K. Muday is a Professor of Biology and Director of the Center for Molecular Signaling at Wake Forest University. She is affiliated with the Department of Biology in the Undergraduate College and conducts research at the Wake Downtown Innovation Quarter. Her lab focuses on plant hormone signaling, flavonol biochemistry, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant development and stress responses.

Education:

• B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Ph.D., Purdue University
• Postdoctoral Research, Sandoz Agro Inc.

Research Interests:
Gloria Muday's research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to environmental signals. Her work emphasizes hormone signaling (auxin, ethylene, ABA), redox biology, and flavonol function in processes such as root development, gravitropism, stomatal regulation, and pollen thermotolerance. She integrates molecular, genetic, biochemical, and bioinformatic approaches in model systems like Arabidopsis and tomato.

Publication Trends:
Her recent publications highlight a strong focus on ROS as signaling molecules in plant development, the protective role of flavonols under heat stress in pollen, and the interplay between ABA and hydrogen peroxide in stomatal closure. There is a growing integration of computational and systems biology approaches, particularly in analyzing time-course transcriptomic data to map gene regulatory networks involved in ethylene signaling.

Scientific Awards:

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Muday has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom are listed as co-authors on her publications. Her research is supported by the National Science Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. She leads interdisciplinary collaborations with computer scientists and mathematicians at Wake Forest to develop and apply advanced modeling techniques.

Labs and Teams:
The Muday Lab is located in Building 60 at the Wake Downtown Innovation Quarter, providing modern research and teaching facilities. The lab includes a diverse team of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates working on various aspects of plant signaling. The lab also develops and shares bioinformatics tools such as TF DEACoN for transcription factor discovery.