Plant Science and Technology
Sep. 9, 2018
Tim Moloney
Prior to his teaching career, Tim Moloney spent 17 years working as the lead landscape designer and landscape sales manager for Rost, Inc. in Columbia, MO. During that time he thoroughly researched the ins and outs of the landscape design/build industry and diligently worked at learning what to and, more importantly, what not to do to help ensure a successful career in the landscape industry. His hope is that he can pass along all that he has learned through the school of hard knocks and practical experience to the next generation of landscape professionals. Educational background B.S., Plant Sciences, University…
Sep. 9, 2018
Mandy Bish
Bish’s main research focus is the management of current and emerging pathogens to corn and soybean. Information generated from the research is applied to her extension programming efforts. She utilizes programs already in place, such as the Mizzou On-Farm Strip Trial Program to compliment small plot research that evaluates the efficacy of disease management practices either alone or in combination. Bish also has an interest in exploring interactions among pathogens, disease management tactics, and the environment. This allows Bish to utilize her training in both basic and applied plant sciences. Improved understanding of these interactions and monitoring how interactions change over…
Sep. 9, 2018
Lesleighan Kraft Cravens
Lesleighan’s academic responsibilities range from overseeing and supervising the operation of Tiger Garden, the student-operated floral shop on campus, to advising the Mizzou Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers organization. As the faculty advisor, she works to prepare students for regional/national competitions, expand students’ views of the floral industry and prepare students for careers within the industry. Education background M.S. Agricultural Education and Leadership B.S. Agricultural Education with Teaching Certification, University of Missouri Accreditation: American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Certifications: Certified Floral Designer (CFD) & Professional Floral Communicator International (PFCI)…
Aug. 22, 2018
Ron Mittler
My research interests are focused on the role Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play in the regulation of different biological processes. As model organisms I use Arabidopsis thaliana plants and human epithelial breast cancer cells because they provide an ideal platform for the questions I am interested in. My approach to research is to focus on questions that are biologically important (and fundable), and to address them using a comprehensive approach of molecular genetics, biochemistry, structural biology, physiology, biophysics, chemistry, bioinformatics, omics and systems biology. I strive to obtain a deep understanding of the biological process in question by making predictions,…
Aug. 22, 2018
Leszek Vincent
Leszek Vincent has research interests in Medicinal Plant Science (Pharmacognosy) and enjoys facilitating and contributing to interdisciplinary collaborative research with colleagues on the MU campus and elsewhere involving medicinal plants. Much of this medicinal plant research is focused on plant species indigenous to southern Africa but also includes North American species. The biochemistry of terpenoids (essential oils) is of particular interest. This research is firmly built upon a long-standing career in Plant Systematics (Taxonomy). The systematics of the awesome Asteraceae (Compositae) family (daisies) is his prime interest, especially the systematics of the cosmopolitan genus Senecio. Vincent enjoys teaching plant science…
Aug. 22, 2018
Chris Topp
Educational background Ph.D., Plant Biology, University of Georgia B.S., Genetics, University of Georgia…
Aug. 22, 2018
David Stanley
Educational background Ph.D., Entomology, University of California, Berkeley B.A., Biology, California State University, Fullerton…
Aug. 22, 2018
Kent Shelby
Educational background Ph.D., Zoology, Oklahoma State University B.S., Biology, Oklahoma State University…
Aug. 22, 2018
Wenping Qiu
Molecular interactions between grapevine and obligate biotrophic Uncinula necator Powdery mildew caused by the fungus Uncinula necator is the most destructive fungal disease in grapevines worldwide. U. necator thrives only on living grapevine tissues by getting nutrients through an elaborate feeding structure haustoria formed between fungus and epidermal cell. Research in the Qiu laboratory focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying this intimate relationship between grapevine and U. necator. The lab conducts high throughput discovery and hypothesis-based research projects hopefully, to reveal key steps in the complex interactions that happen after fungal conidiospores start to germinate on the surfaces of leaf, stem…
Aug. 22, 2018
Melvin Oliver
The approach that I have developed is a combination of functional and comparative phylogenomics, a merging of genomics and phylogenetics, underpinned by a sound understanding of the morphology, phenology, physiology and molecular biology of the plants I have chosen to focus on. Using two phylogenetic approaches, ancestor-descendant comparisons and sister-group contrasts, my specific goals relate to identifying and understand the function of those genes and processes that are truly adaptive with regards to dehydration tolerance in plants. My work has focused on three primary models each uniquely positioned to experimentally address the adaptive aspects of dehydration tolerance. We utilize the…