Robert T. Mullen

Dr. Robert T. Mullen is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Guelph. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Alberta in Plant Molecular Biology. His research focuses on lipid droplet biogenesis in plant cells and applications in bioengineering neutral lipid storage in vegetative tissues. His work integrates cellular, molecular, biochemical, and microscopic approaches to study lipid dynamics.

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of lipid droplet formation and function in plant cells
• Engineering plant systems for enhanced oil production in leaves/stems
• Protein interactions and subcellular localization (e.g., LDAP, SEIPIN, and TA-proteins)

Teaching:

• Molecular Biology of the Cell (MCB*2050)
• Graduate courses MCB*6500 and MCB*7500

Advising: Co-advises Alyssa Clews (PhD) with Dr. Yang Xu. His lab (SSC 4409-10) explores lipid droplet interactions with organelles like peroxisomes and the plasma membrane.