معرفی
Karen Sanguinet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University (WSU), within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of California-Berkeley and a B.S. in Horticulture and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on plant root development, abiotic stress responses, and crop improvement, with a particular emphasis on understanding root architecture and environmental interactions in model plants like Arabidopsis and Brachypodium, as well as crops such as wheat and rice.
Her lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, including genetics, genomics, and physiology, to study root growth modulation under cold, drought, and nutrient limitations. Recently, her work has expanded to investigate microplastic interactions with plant roots and soil health. Key projects include characterizing the BUZZ gene in root hair development and exploring metal lactates as biostimulants.
Dr. Sanguinet has collaborated on over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with notable contributions to understanding root architecture, lignin biosynthesis, and stress tolerance mechanisms. Her research is supported by grants focusing on sustainable agriculture, soil microbiome dynamics, and climate-resilient crop varieties. She mentors a diverse team of graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates, emphasizing outreach through programs like GENE-ius Day and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Laboratory activities are centered at WSU's Cook Agronomy Farm and Spillman Farm, where field trials and greenhouse experiments are conducted. Ongoing efforts include improving pennycress as a winter cover crop and developing drought-resistant wheat genotypes for the Pacific Northwest.
