Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Chancellor’s Professor
Division of Plant Science and Technology
Biochemistry, Development, Environmental Interactions, Plant Physiology,
Research
Our previous work on maize primary root adaptation to water deficit showed that cell elongation is maintained in the apical region of the growth zone but progressively inhibited further from the apex. In association with these growth responses, cell wall extensibility is enhanced in the apical region but decreased in the basal region. Cell wall proteomic analyses were conducted to identify proteins important for wall extensibility and elongation. The results revealed predominantly region-specific changes in protein profiles between well-watered and water-stressed roots. Several proteins related to ROS generation showed an increased abundance in the apical region of stressed roots, prominent among them being putative oxalate oxidases. An increase in apoplastic ROS in the apical region of WS roots was confirmed by in situ imaging. Apoplastic ROS may have wall loosening or tightening effects which could be region specific.
Awards & Honors
- Curators’ Professorship, University of Missouri (2019)
- Brady J. Deaton Fellow in International Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri (2019)
- Roger L Mitchell Fellow, College of Agricuclture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri (2018)
- “Harold Woolhouse Lecture”, Department of Plant Science, University of Adelaide, Australia (2015)
- Fellow, American Society of Plant Biologists (2014)
- Interim Director, Division of Plant Sciences (2005-2008)
- Frederick B. Mumford Outstanding Faculty Award, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri (2007)
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2007)
- Chair, Department of Agronomy (2000-2005)
- Distinguished Award in Research, Gamma Sigma Delta (The Honor Society of Agriculture), University of Missouri (2003)
- Researcher of The Year Award, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri (1995)
- Junior Faculty Research Award, Gamma Sigma Delta (The Honor Society of Agriculture), University of Missouri (1993)
- Panel Manager, USDA/NRI Plant Responses to the Environment Program, 1996
- Editorial Board, Journal of Experimental Botany (1995-present)
- Editorial Board (1989-1992), Monitoring Editor (1992-1998), Associate Editor (1993-1994), Plant Physiology
- President's Medal, Society for Experimental Biology (U.K.) (1991)