Plant Biology
Studies in plant biology in the Division of Biological Sciences span scales from genes to landscapes, explore a diverse array of biological phenomena, and employ an extensive range of approaches. Areas of particular concentration include growth and development, cell biology, species conservation and biodiversity, plant-insect interactions, genetics and genomics, evolution, and ecology. Faculty and students benefit from state-of-the-art plant growth facilities and research cores on campus as well as a larger, interactive community of plant biologists through the Interdisciplinary Plant Group.
Faculty & Research Interests
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James Birchler
Chromosome evolution and function in plants and fruit fly
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David Braun
Genetic control of carbon partitioning in plants
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Candace Galen
Ecology and evolution in natural plant populations
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Ricardo M. Holdo
Ecological factors that shape tree communities
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Timothy Holtsford
Floral evolution, species divergence, and mating systems in flowering plants
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Mannie Liscum
Genetic control of phototropism in plants
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Paula McSteen
Genetic regulation of meristem function in plants
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Kathleen Newton
Organization and gene content of mitochondrial genomes in plants
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J. Chris Pires
Systematics, phylogenetics, and genome evolution of polyploidy plants
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John C. Walker
Molecular mechanisms regulating cellular signaling in plants
News
Jun. 7, 2013
2013 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award given to Dr. Chris Pires
Jun. 4, 2013
MDC awards Alice Tipton grant to study mycorrhizal interactions
Jun. 3, 2013
Visiting high schoolers get a lesson in ‘tree thinking’ from Dr. Pires
Katie Becklin, Ph.D.
AAUW Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas
“The biology department has been an incredible source of support for me as a scientist. During graduate school, I worked closely with a number of excellent faculty mentors who encouraged me to tackle difficult research questions and come up with innovative approaches. These people were instrumental in helping me become an independent scientist.”