Reinhard Jetter

Dr. Reinhard Jetter is a Professor in the Departments of Botany and Chemistry at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding the Canadian Research Chair in Plant's Natural Products Chemistry. With a PhD from the University of Kaiserslautern (Germany) and postdoctoral training at Washington State University and University of Würzburg, he leads an interdisciplinary lab investigating plant surface waxes.

• PhD: Botany, University of Kaiserslautern (1993)
• Postdoc: Washington State University (1994-96)
• Research Associate: University of Würzburg (1996-2002)

His research focuses on cuticular waxes' biosynthesis, chemical diversity, and ecological/physiological functions. Key projects include novel wax components, chemical patterning on plant surfaces, and wax biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. His work bridges molecular genetics, analytical chemistry, and eco-physiology to address climate change-related drought tolerance and biomimetic material design.

Recent publications highlight discoveries in wax composition, biosynthetic pathways (e.g., KCS enzymes, β-diketones), and applications in textile coatings. Collaborations span plant ecophysiology, insect behavior, and material science. His lab trains students in both chemical and biological methodologies.

Scientific Awards

• Canadian Research Chair in Plant's Natural Products Chemistry

Current and former lab members include Sydney Bell (MSc Chemistry), Jedrzej Gozdzik (MChem), and Dr. Lucas Busta. He teaches courses like BIOL 201 (Cell Biology II) and SCIE 300 (Communicating Science). The lab maintains active research on plant-insect interactions, surface waxes, and drought resistance mechanisms.