Richard Waites

Richard Waites is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of York. His research investigates the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying leaf shape diversity in plants, combining genetics, computational modeling, and evolutionary biology approaches.

Key work explores transcriptional regulation of leaf development, including TCP transcription factors and hormone signaling pathways. Research integrates quantitative phenotyping with molecular genetics to understand how developmental processes generate morphological diversity.

Waites leads projects on meristematic gene functions in leaf morphogenesis and teaches topics in plant development. Current PhD students include Vera Matser, working on computational approaches to leaf shape variation.