Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Plant Science and Technology
Associate Professor
Bond Life Sciences Center
Associate Member & Principal Investigator
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Research at a glance
Area(s) of Expertise
Research Summary
The Sparks lab is interested in how plants anchor themselves and stay upright during storms. To address these questions, we design and build tools to measure plant mechanics. In parallel, we are working to understand the molecular and developmental pathways that are associated with different mechanical outcomes.
Sparks holds a joint appointment with the University of Missouri and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. She is passionate about interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex challenges. Her background training includes a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology and postdoctoral work in Plant Molecular Biology.
Educational background
- Ph.D., Vanderbilt University