EDUCATION
BS 1974 (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
MS 1976 (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
PhD 1980 (University of Minnesota)
RESEARCH
The goal of my research is to identify physiological processes and plant environmental responses which are potential targets for future crop improvement. My research is centered in three areas: a) sink-organ development during cell division and primordial phases; b) mechanisms by which environmental stresses abort sink development, alter phytohormone levels and modify the expression of gene products involved in cell proliferation; and c) translocation and partitioning of photosynthetic products among plant parts. All of my studies deal with plant responses to environmental conditions, especially water deficit and elevated atmospheric CO2. Studies on maize reproductive development concern the influence of water deficit on abscisic acid and other hormone levels, on sugar fluxes in grain tissues, and the roles that changes in these regulatory factors play in altering the expression of genes associated with cell division, such as cyclin.
TEACHING
I am a member of Cornell Graduate Faculties in the Field of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Sciences (representing the Crop Science concentration), and in Plant Biology.
I teach courses at the graduate level on the physiology and ecology of crop yield (SCAS 613), and on water status assessment methods (SCAS 608).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Description of Research Program
Areas
OTHER CORNELL LINKS
Cornell
Biological Sciences
Cornell College
of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Cornell University
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