Gerco Angenent is a Full Professor in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Wageningen University & Research, part of the EPS Researcher group. His primary research focuses on plant development systems, transcription factors, and gene regulatory networks in plants like Arabidopsis, tomato, and tulip. He leads projects on epigenetic reprogramming, fruit ripening, and seed dormancy mechanisms. Key research interests include the functional roles of PEBP proteins, CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis in plants, and the molecular basis of floral organ development. Recent work explores how transcription factors like FRUITFULL and TCP5 regulate flowering time, inflorescence architecture, and embryo development. Angenent supervises multiple PhD candidates investigating topics such as wood lignin formation and BABY BOOM’s role in embryogenesis. His collaborative projects span international teams, with studies on temperature-dependent flowering pathways, genome editing tools for crop improvement, and the evolutionary origins of plant genes. Angenent has contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in academic outreach activities like media contributions and lectures.
Brian D. Gregory is a Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on RNA modifications, computational biology, and plant genetics, particularly studying how RNA modifications regulate gene expression in plants and animals. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2005) and a B.S.A. from the University of Arizona (2000). Research Interests: RNA epitranscriptomics (e.g., m6A, NAD+ caps) RNA secondary structure and protein interactions Genomic approaches to study plant stress responses Development of high-throughput sequencing tools like PIP-seq Recent Work Highlights: Recent studies include analyzing pathogen-induced RNA modifications' role in plant immunity (Plant Cell 2023), global RNA structure/protein interaction mapping, and epitranscriptomic dynamics in drought tolerance. His lab's work bridges computational methods with molecular genetics to uncover post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Lab & Collaborations: The Gregory Lab uses Arabidopsis thaliana as a primary model organism but also explores animal systems. They collaborate with institutions like Cornell University and have developed protocols published in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Teaching: BIOL 4231: Genome Sciences and Genomic Medicine BIOL 6010: Communication for Biologists
Cornelius Barry is an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University, with affiliations to the Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology program, AgBioResearch, and the Molecular Plant Sciences Graduate Program. He joined MSU in July 2007 with a 75% research and 25% teaching appointment. Education: PhD and BSc from the University of Nottingham and University College of Wales Current roles: Director of NSF REU Site: Plant Genomics @ MSU His research focuses on the evolution of biochemical diversity within the Solanaceae family , particularly specialized metabolites like terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. He investigates their roles in plant defense, pollinator attraction, and human applications through genomics, metabolite profiling, and synthetic biology. Recent publications show expertise in alkaloid biosynthesis , trichome chemistry , and metabolic pathway engineering . Key collaborations include teams at Boyce Thompson Institute, Texas A&M, and University of Nottingham. He advises graduate students in Genetics , Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , and Molecular Plant Sciences programs.
Maurice D. Levi was a distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Sauder School of Business. He held academic roles including Visiting Assistant Professor (pre-1974) and full Professor, contributing significantly to research and education. His career began with a Killam Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellowship at UBC in 1972. Education: B.A. Economics (First Class Honors, University of Manchester, 1967); M.A. (University of Chicago, 1968); Ph.D. Economics (University of Chicago, 1972). Research focused on econometrics, behavioral economics, and market psychology. Notable works include analyses of stock market cycles, daylight saving anomalies, and hormonal influences on M&A decisions. He authored influential textbooks like International Finance (5 editions) and Thinking Economically , translated globally. Awarded eight teaching awards for his ability to simplify complex economic concepts. He chaired the Finance Division (four terms) and the Centre for International Business Studies, and served on UBC's Appointment Promotion and Tenure Committee and Senior Appointments Committee. His legacy includes fostering interdisciplinary scholarship and collegial mentorship. Donations in lieu of flowers were directed to the Parkinson Society of BC, reflecting his family’s wishes.
Timo Hytönen is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. He holds a Docentship in the same department and is an integral member of the Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS). His academic leadership extends to supervising doctoral students across three major programs: Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources, Integrative Life Science, and Plant Sciences. Additionally, he maintains an external position as Principal Research Scientist at NIAB EMR in Genetic Genomics & Breeding since November 2018. Professor Hytönen's research interests span plant genetics, molecular biology, and crop production sciences with a specialized focus on berry crops, particularly strawberries. His work investigates fundamental plant processes including flowering time regulation, environmental adaptation mechanisms, fruit development, and disease resistance. His research integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic approaches to understand how plants respond and adapt to environmental challenges. His extensive publication record (88 publications) reveals a strong focus on woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) as a model system for studying economically important traits in berry crops. Recent work demonstrates expertise in QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies, circadian rhythm adaptation, and the genetic basis of climate adaptation. His research shows consistent emphasis on translating basic science into practical applications for crop improvement. Professor Hytönen leads significant research projects including 'Mansikan vihreä vallankumous' (Strawberry Green Revolution) funded by the Academy of Finland and 'ASTROS: How meristems guide plant reproductive development' supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. He is also a Principal Investigator in the Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS), a major collaborative research infrastructure. His academic service includes extensive peer review activities (37 manuscript reviews), hosting academic visitors (32 instances), and participation in numerous conferences and seminars. He has provided guidance to graduate students and supervised doctoral candidates, contributing significantly to the training of next-generation plant scientists.
Dr. Friedrich Longin is an Adjunct Professor and Group Leader of the Wheat Research Group at the State Seed Breeding Institute of the University of Hohenheim, Germany. He leads research on wheat breeding, alternative wheat varieties, and increasing biodiversity in wheat cultivation. University of Hohenheim: Habilitation in Plant Breeding (2016), Adjunct Professor (2019) University of Hohenheim and China Agricultural University in Beijing: Doctorate in a German-Chinese graduate program University of Hohenheim: Studied agricultural biology, specializing in biotechnology and plant breeding Dr. Longin's research focuses on breeding alternative wheat varieties, pre-breeding in wheat, processing and nutritional quality of wheat varieties, nutrient use efficiency in wheat species, and increasing biodiversity and sustainability in wheat cultivation. His breeding research into alternative crops has led to the resurgence of traditional varieties such as spelt, emmer, and einkorn. His work bridges fundamental plant breeding science with practical applications for sustainable agriculture and food systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding the genetic basis of wheat quality traits, disease resistance, and nutritional properties. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on genomics-based approaches to wheat improvement, with particular attention to grain quality, nutritional properties, disease resistance, and the relationship between wheat varieties and human health. There is a clear trend toward integrating molecular breeding techniques with traditional approaches, and an increasing emphasis on understanding the health implications of wheat consumption, particularly regarding inflammatory responses and food sensitivities. Active participant in numerous national and international research projects related to wheat breeding and genetic resources Regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences on wheat breeding and sustainable agriculture Volunteers on several professional committees related to plant breeding and agricultural research Dr. Longin heads the Wheat Research Group at the State Seed Breeding Institute of the University of Hohenheim, which focuses on developing improved wheat varieties with enhanced nutritional quality, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. His team works closely with farmers, millers, and bakers to ensure that new varieties meet the needs of the entire production chain from farm to fork.
Hannah Jones is a research-active academic specializing in sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and crop resilience. Her work is centered on enhancing ecosystem services in farming systems through biodiversity, pollination, and soil health improvements. She has published extensively in leading agricultural and environmental science journals, often collaborating with institutions and researchers in the UK. Her research interests include agroforestry, climate change adaptation in crops, pollination ecology, organic farming, and the physiological responses of wheat and legumes to environmental stress. She investigates how diverse cropping systems, such as ley farming and cover crops, can improve sustainability and resilience under changing climatic conditions. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on interdisciplinary agroecological solutions. Her work spans plant physiology, soil science, microbiology, and food systems, demonstrating a systems-level approach to sustainable agriculture. Themes include enhancing pollination services, improving soil organic matter, breeding resilient crop varieties, and understanding crop responses to heat and drought stress. Hannah Jones has contributed to impactful research on wheat phenology, nitrogen use efficiency, and the role of genetic diversity in organic systems. Her studies on faba bean pollination under heat stress highlight the importance of insect pollinators in climate adaptation. She also explores consumer perceptions of organic food, bridging agronomic science with socio-agricultural dimensions.
Paul W. Pare is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas Tech University. His research spans plant-microbe interactions, plant metabolomics, and marine natural-product chemistry, with a focus on understanding signaling mechanisms and characterizing bioactive compounds. Dr. Pare earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991 and completed postdoctoral studies at the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University. His academic journey has led to significant contributions in biochemistry and natural product research. His research interests center on Plant Beneficial-Microbe Interactions , where he studies how soil bacteria induce growth promotion and stress tolerance in plants through complex signaling exchanges. In Plant Metabolomics , he characterizes pharmacologically active metabolites including phenylpropanoid glycosides, iridoids, and flavonoids from plant tissue based on ethnobotanical history. His work in Marine Natural-Product Chemistry explores secondary metabolites from Red Sea organisms, recognized as an epicenter for marine biodiversity. Dr. Pare employs multidisciplinary techniques spanning analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology. Analysis of Dr. Pare's recent publications (2020-2024) reveals three dominant research trajectories: natural products with anti-tumor activity (particularly from Withania and Synadenium species), plant-microbe signaling mechanisms involving bacterial volatiles, and computational drug discovery approaches targeting pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. His work demonstrates exceptional interdisciplinary integration across biochemistry, pharmacology, plant science, and marine biology. Current Laboratory Members: Mohamed-Elamir Khalaf, Mi-Seong Kim, Fernanda Medeiros, Flavio Medeiros, Saidi Reddy Vtukuri, Xitao Xie, Huiming Zhang Former Students: 13 postdocs, 6 graduate students, and 3 undergraduates who have established careers in academia and industry Major Collaborations: Lanzhou University (China), National Research Centre (Egypt) Dr. Pare maintains active teaching responsibilities including Principles of Biochemistry (Chem 5334) and Molecular Biochemistry (Chem 3310), emphasizing how biochemical understanding drives advances in medicine, agriculture, and nutrition. His Space Science Program examines plant carbon allocation under elevated CO 2 conditions, connecting terrestrial research to space exploration contexts.
Dr. Megan Dewdney is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center. Her extension work focuses on integrated management strategies for citrus canker, citrus greening (huanglongbing), and fungal pathogens, while her research investigates the biology of bacterial and fungal pathogens to develop enhanced disease control methods. She holds a Ph.D. and leads active research programs in citrus pathology. Her primary research interests include: Integrated disease management systems for citrus pathogens Biology and epidemiology of fungal and bacterial diseases in citrus Development of molecular detection tools for plant pathogens Implementation of precision agriculture technologies for disease forecasting Physiological impacts of huanglongbing on citrus trees Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong emphasis on: Advanced detection methods using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning Genomic studies of fungal pathogens like Phyllosticta citricarpa Development of web-based disease advisory systems for growers Physiological management of huanglongbing-affected trees Molecular characterization of citrus pathogens She currently advises doctoral student Eva Mulandesa and collaborates with postdoctoral researcher Pamela Suellen. Her laboratory team includes research technicians, a lab manager, and program support staff focused on citrus pathology research.
Laura Llorens Guasch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Girona, where she has been a faculty member since 2010, previously serving as a Lecturer from 2005 to 2010. Her academic background includes a PhD in Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sheffield. She teaches in the Biology, Environmental Sciences, and Master’s in Environmental Change programs. Bachelor of Biology – University of Barcelona (1999) PhD in Biology – Autonomous University of Barcelona (2003) Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow – University of Sheffield (2003–2005) Her research centers on plant physiological responses to climate change stressors such as elevated CO 2 , drought, temperature rise, and UV radiation, with a focus on Mediterranean ecosystems. She leads research within the Research Group on Soils and Vegetation in the Mediterranean , exploring plant community dynamics and ecosystem resilience. A recent initiative investigates the potential benefits of ruderal species in organic horticulture, particularly for tomato cultivation. Her 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent focus on plant ecophysiology under global change, combining field experiments with physiological measurements. Key themes include photoprotection, water use efficiency, carbon assimilation, and plant-plant interactions. The work spans functional ecology, climate change biology, and sustainable agriculture, often integrating multi-stressor experimental designs. She has served as an associate editor for Functional Ecology and has contributed to 5 book chapters and over 50 conference presentations. Her research has been supported by 14 competitive grants, 4 of which she led as principal investigator. Associate Editor – Functional Ecology (IF=4.83) Principal Investigator in 4 competitive research projects Participant in 14 research projects total Laura Llorens Guasch actively supervises students and contributes to academic mentoring, though specific student names are not listed. Her work continues to advance understanding of how Mediterranean vegetation adapts to environmental change, with implications for conservation and sustainable land use.
Maria Algerin is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine at the University of Skövde , School of Bioscience. She serves as Program Manager for the Master's programs in Molecular Biotechnology , Molecular Ecology , and Infection Biology , and acts as an International Contact Person for her department. Education: M.Sc. in Biology with specialization in Commercial Law, Karlstad University (1999) Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala (2006). Thesis: Studies of genes involved in regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana Research Interests: Her work focuses on plant genetics, particularly flowering time regulation and arsenic accumulation in plants. She explores internationalization in education through personas methodology and develops digital training initiatives for plant pathogen detection. Publications Overview: Her research spans computational and experimental studies on plant gene functions, agricultural disease risk assessment, and educational digitalization. Key topics include Arabidopsis thaliana , phytoremediation , and cross-cultural educational design . Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with researchers like Mikael Ejdebäck and Kajsa Nalin on projects including plant pathogen detection (2014-2017) and systems biology initiatives.
Addie Thompson is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture & Natural Resources , affiliated with the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences , Plant Resilience Institute , and Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Program . Her expertise spans maize genetics, genomics, and phenomics, with a focus on genotype-environment interactions. B.S. from Iowa State University Ph.D. from University of Minnesota Postdoctoral work at University of Minnesota & Purdue University Research focuses on drought stress adaptation , high-throughput phenotyping , and quantitative genetics in maize and sorghum systems. Current projects include computational modeling of crop traits, field phenotyping technologies, and cross-species stress response analysis. She leads maize genetics research while participating in national initiatives like the Genomes-to-Fields Initiative , with recent publications on phenotypic plasticity, hyperspectral imaging applications, and climate-resilient breeding strategies. Her work connects molecular genetics to agricultural productivity through advanced data modeling and field experimentation. Thompson directs the Thompson Maize Lab which focuses on: Maize and sorghum genotype-environment interactions Phenomics technologies for trait analysis Development of computational breeding tools Climate resilience trait discovery Historical genetic diversity patterns Agricultural workforce development
Sylvi Marlen Sandvik is a Researcher at the Faculty of Technology and Science , University of Agder. Her work focuses on alpine ecology, plant biology, and climate change impacts, with extensive publications spanning 2000-2024. PhD in Scientific Seminar (Dr. Scient Cand real) Email: sylvi.m.sandvik@uia.no Phone: +47 38141341 | Mobile: +4748155784 Research Highlights: Dr. Sandvik specializes in alpine plant responses to climate change, including: Thermal thresholds for embryo growth in Conopodium majus (2024) Nitrogen-fixing legumes' impact on alpine ecosystems (2013) Long-term warming effects on snowbed vegetation (2004, 2014) Reproductive costs in Parnassia palustris under warming (2008-2010) Recent Publications: 15+ peer-reviewed works from 2000–2024, including Annals of Botany (2024), Global Change Biology (2013), and Oikos (2001). Key journals: Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research , Environmental and Experimental Botany , Nordic Journal of Botany .
Professor Alex Webb is a leading researcher in plant circadian biology at the University of Cambridge, where he serves as Head of the Circadian Signal Transduction Group within the Department of Plant Sciences, School of the Biological Sciences. His research focuses on understanding how plants measure time through their circadian clock and how this timing mechanism regulates physiology and enhances plant growth and productivity. Dr. Webb's research interests center on the molecular mechanisms of the plant circadian clock, with particular emphasis on calcium signaling pathways, metabolic regulation by sugars, and the integration of environmental cues. His group has made groundbreaking discoveries showing how circadian oscillations of cytosolic calcium regulate the clock and how photosynthetic sugars entrain the circadian oscillator. His work demonstrates that the circadian clock significantly enhances plant growth, photosynthesis, and stress tolerance. His recent publications reveal trends toward translating fundamental circadian biology into agricultural applications, particularly in wheat, with research on chronoculture (harnessing circadian rhythms to improve crop yield and sustainability). His work spans molecular, physiological, systems, and computational approaches to understand how the circadian clock is incorporated into cellular biology. Membre Assocé Académie royale de Belgique Professor Webb teaches across multiple Natural Sciences Tripos courses at Cambridge, including lectures on intracellular signaling, plant and microbial sciences, and plant signaling networks. His group actively recruits PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and he maintains collaborations with institutions including the National Institute of Agricultural Botany and BASF in Ghent, Belgium, to translate fundamental findings into improved wheat varieties.
James Schnable serves as the Charles O. Gardner Professor of Agronomy in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research integrates genomic, phenomic, and environmental data to advance crop breeding methodologies for maize and sorghum, with particular emphasis on climate-resilient varieties. Dr. Schnable's research program spans plant genomics , high-throughput phenomics , and quantitative genetics , focusing on genetic dissection of nitrogen use efficiency, photosynthetic traits, and stress tolerance mechanisms. His laboratory pioneers UAV- and satellite-based phenotyping systems, machine learning applications for image analysis, and genomic prediction models that bridge genotype-phenotype gaps under variable environmental conditions. Key innovations include nighttime fluorescence phenotyping to reduce environmental noise and spectral feature extraction for accelerated trait assessment. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals consistent leadership in genotype-environment interaction studies and computational phenotyping , with dominant themes including transcription factor binding site variation explaining heritability, nonphotochemical quenching kinetics in stress responses, and scalable satellite-based yield prediction methods. His work frequently employs the Genomes to Fields Initiative infrastructure for multi-state field validation. Charles O. Gardner Professorship Dr. Schnable directs an active research program involving advanced sensor networks, genomic selection pipelines, and multi-institutional field trials. His team develops computational frameworks like PlantSegNet for 3D plant reconstruction and SPARC-LoRa for agricultural IoT applications. While specific grant details aren't provided in source materials, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals indicates sustained funding from major agricultural research programs. The laboratory maintains cutting-edge phenotyping infrastructure including UAV fleets, hyperspectral imaging systems, and gas sensor networks for early stress detection. Current projects focus on nitrogen-responsive growth trajectories, chilling tolerance mechanisms in panicoid grasses, and gut microbiome interactions with grain composition, reflecting an integrative approach from molecular mechanisms to field performance.
