Research Interests

I have two primary areas of research focus. As a tree physiologist, I am interested in research on the role of auxins in woody plant morphogenesis. Auxins are a class of hormones involved the regulation of several important aspects of tree growth and development, including apical dominance (branching pattern), cambial activity (wood production), and adventitious root formation (plant propagation). In addition, when applied at high concentrations synthetic auxins, such as 2,4-D, can be used as herbicides. However, most studies of auxin physiology have been conducted with herbaceous plants, such as tobacco and Arabidopsis. Areas of current investigation include 1) an evaluation of the possible contribution of exogenous auxins to shoot vitrification during aspen micropropagation and 2) the development of genetic tools (reporter gene constructs) that could be used to monitor changes/gradients in auxin concentration and metabolism in trees in vivo as outlined in the research projects list (below, in preparation). Long-term goals would include the development of strategies for the successful manipulation of tree form via transformation with genes affecting auxin biosynthesis and/or perception (sensitivity).

As an experimental scientist that uses plant transformation both as research tool and for plant improvement applications, I am also interested in the basic science of plant transformation and in research aimed at optimizing plant transformation protocols, especially for woody plants. . In fact, most of the projects that are currently ongoing in my lab tie into this ‘second interest’. Specific projects include 1) the evaluation of novel environmentally-friendly genes for use as plant selectable marker genes in aspen, 2) the development of improved transformation protocols for black walnut, with the goal of reducing the frequency of chimeric regenerants; i.e., plants consisting of mixtures of transgenic and non-transgenic cells, 3) an evaluation of Agrobacterium strain effects on morphogenic competence of transgenic aspen, and 4) an evaluation of the possible gelling agent effects on the efficacy of aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as kanamycin and neomycin. Each of these projects is described individually below (to be posted later).

Research Projects (Ongoing)