Faculty | Plant Biology | SIU

My research involves studying the biosynthesis of plant constituents that have medicinal or industrial uses. We employ multidisciplinary techniques in phytochemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry and tissue culture to understand how the production of plant natural products is controlled. ...read full profile >>

My research centers on bridging ecological theory with restoration ecology to improve the structure and function of degraded ecosystems. I am particularly interested in the degree to which the recovery of soil microbiological processes, carbon pools, and nitrogen dynamics influence floristic ...read full profile >>

I am interested in the dynamics of wetland plant communities and the ecological processes that link them with the surrounding landscape. Specifically, research in my lab focuses on the effects of climate change and large-scale phenomena, such as exotic species invasions, on community ...read full profile >>

Dr. Gage holds a cross-appointment between the College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Soil and Agricultural Systems and the College of Science, Department of Plant Biology.  She has experience working with weed management research, planning and control in agricultural, grassland, ...read full profile >>

I am a tropical botanist in the broadest sense, with active research projects in ecology, systematics and conservation. Linking these apparently disparate areas is a long-term focus on the seed and seedling stages of the life cycle. My first projects 25 years ago in Panama were community level studies ...read full profile >>

Biology is now an information science, as DNA and protein sequences are digital, and data collected can be manipulated by decryption and database software. I use a novel combination of data mining software and high-throughput whole genome expression analysis to match cis-regulatory elements in ...read full profile >>

My main research interests are in systems biology approach to solve biological questions and environmental problems. My research group employs different microscopy, molecular cell biology, and different –omics studies to approach the problems and questions. Currently my funded research projects ...read full profile >>

Current research interests and specialties include: Population and community ecology succession Plant competition Exotic species Ecology of grasslands Agroecology Ecology education Effects of Global Environmental Change Multivariate methods Education Ph.D. 1985, University of Wales Selected ...read full profile >>

Dr. Lightfoot is PhD in Genetics and Professor for Biotechnology and Genomics at SIUC. He is Head of the Genomic Science Facility at SIUC. He is an Illinois Humanities Commission Road Scholar. He won Illinois Soybean Researcher of the year twice. He has published 126 peer reviewed articles, one book, ...read full profile >>

My lab investigates plant systematic questions, both floristically and taxonomically focused.  Because evolution is the central unifying process of biology, the use of phylogenetic methods can give us an evolutionary perspective for interpreting variation in morphology, biogeography, ...read full profile >>

My research focuses on the evolution of plant-insect interactions, specifically interactions between bees and their pollen and nectar host plants. I integrate both the botanical and entomological aspects of these interactions; I also address conservation implications of these interactions. My ...read full profile >>

I am broadly interested in plant ecology and evolution.  I investigate a wide range of questions in ecology & evolution, using both model and non-model plants as study organisms. Much of my focus centers around mating system theory, adaptive responses to climate change and ...read full profile >>

The molecular, cellular and biochemical responses of plants to water-deficit stress is the central, and long-term, interest of my research program. My laboratory is pursuing a two-pronged strategy, one basic and one applied, with the ultimate goal of improving drought-tolerance and yield ...read full profile >>