Lacey Samuels

Lacey Samuels is a Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Science. She serves as the Academic Director of the UBC Bioimaging Facility, a campus-wide resource that serves over 200 researchers annually from various departments and institutions. Dr. Samuels has been with UBC since her postdoctoral fellowship (1996-2000), progressing from Assistant Professor (2000-2006) to Associate Professor (2006-2011) to full Professor (2011-present). She also served as Head of the Botany Department from 2011-2016 and was a Visiting Professor at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in 2011.

Dr. Samuels received her B.Sc. from McGill University in 1984 and completed her Ph.D. in Botany at UBC in 1989. Following her doctoral studies, she conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado from 1993-1995 before returning to UBC for her postdoctoral fellowship (1996-2000).

Her research focuses on plant cell wall biosynthesis, particularly how plant cells secrete cell wall components including polysaccharides, lipids, and lignin. The Samuels lab integrates cell biology with molecular biology and biochemistry to understand cell wall biosynthesis and secretion in cellular context. Their work spans several key areas:

• Cellulose biosynthesis in secondary cell walls: Using live-cell imaging to analyze cellulose synthase enzymes in developing xylem cells, which has opened new areas of cellulose biosynthesis and bioenergy research.
• Lignin biosynthesis in secondary cell walls: Investigating how cells contribute monolignols for lignification, discovering that different populations of vessels and fibers have different mechanisms for wall lignification.
• Characterization of glandular trichomes of cannabis: Studying the unique properties of cannabis stalked trichomes that produce and store cannabinoids and terpenes.
• ABC transporters in plant cell wall lipid export: Pioneering research showing that ABC transporters are required for lipid export from epidermal cells to the plant cuticle.

Dr. Samuels' recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on plant cell wall biology, with particular emphasis on secondary cell wall formation, lignin biosynthesis, and cannabis trichome biology. Her work bridges fundamental plant biology with applications in bioenergy, forestry, and medicinal plant research. A significant trend in her recent work is the application of advanced imaging techniques to understand subcellular processes in plant cell wall formation, particularly in the context of bioenergy crops and cannabis.

Dr. Samuels' lab has received significant recognition, including the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists' 2023 Ragai Ibriham Best Student Paper Award for Mendel Perkins' work on monolignol transport mechanisms. Her 2004 Science paper on ABC transporters in cuticle formation was groundbreaking in the field.

As an academic advisor, Dr. Samuels has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, with many of her former students now in academic and industry positions. Her lab has been supported by NSERC grants and the "Working on Walls" NSERC CREATE training program. The UBC Bioimaging Facility she directs serves as a critical resource for researchers across campus, providing training and service in confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and other advanced imaging techniques.

The Samuels Lab maintains a vibrant research community that combines advanced microscopy with molecular biology and biochemistry approaches. They operate within the UBC Bioimaging Facility, which provides state-of-the-art imaging infrastructure including confocal microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron tomography, and cryo-fixation capabilities. The lab has a strong collaborative network both within UBC and internationally, including with the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan.