Josh Strable

Dr. Josh Strable is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology at Iowa State University. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Iowa State University. Previously, he was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University and served as an Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University (2021–2024) before joining Iowa State in 2025. His research focuses on understanding genetic and genomic mechanisms regulating plant architecture, meristem function, and environmental signal integration in crops like maize. He employs genetic screens, single-cell genomics, and molecular biology to study ethylene signaling, meristem dynamics, and organ patterning.

Education:

• B.S. Biological Sciences, University of Iowa
• M.S. Biological Sciences, University of Iowa
• Ph.D. Plant Biology, Iowa State University
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University

Research Interests: Dr. Strable’s lab investigates how genetic and environmental factors shape plant form. Key areas include:

• Regulation of meristem activity and organ patterning
• Ethylene signaling and stress response mechanisms
• Crop improvement through genetic manipulation of plant architecture
• Integration of developmental pathways with abiotic stress responses

His work bridges fundamental developmental biology with applied agricultural biotechnology, aiming to enhance crop resilience and productivity.

Publications: His recent work explores ethylene’s role in maize development, genetic control of plant architecture, and meristem dynamics. Themes include molecular mechanisms underlying organ formation, hormonal crosstalk, and transcriptional regulation in response to environmental cues.

Awards/Grants: No specific awards mentioned in the provided text. His NSF postdoctoral fellowship supported early career research.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Strable Lab at Iowa State University, focusing on plant developmental genetics and genomics. Collaborates with institutions like Cornell University and North Carolina State University on maize functional genomics projects.