In 2 weeks, we can pick up our badges and get our first glimpse of #PlantBio18. Over the next 2 weeks I will be posting these Speaker Spotlights of concurrent symposium speakers to start the introductions.
The first of these is Dr. Daniel Scholes, Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Indianapolis. Dr. Scholes will be presenting a lightening talk on Monday during concurrent symposium 13 (CS-13-6). His talk is titled: Damage changes the optimal light color for growth and reproduction of Arabidopsis thaliana.
1) What are you most excited about during PlantBio18?
DS: I am most excited about the diversity of presentations that integrate across levels of plant biology—from molecules to ecosystems. There is also an interesting assortment of workshops that cover topics of diverse professional interest, including teaching, communication, leadership, and data analytics that I can start putting to use immediately. And of course, the city of Montreal is definitely a plus.
2) Why should colleagues attend your concurrent symposium?
DS: CS13: Plant-Biotic Interface is composed of a series of talks that largely reveal the molecular bases of plant responses to many types of biotic interactions—bacterial pathogens, parasitic/symbiotic fungi, sympatric reproductive isolation among close relatives, and my area of
research: whole-plant responses to animal herbivores. Because plants are constantly interacting with those around them, this session provides a quick look at the variety of neighbors plants have and the plant’s inner-workings in responding to them.
3) Can you provide a teaser (no data, big picture) for your talk, a brief description that explains why colleagues should attend your talk?
DS: We know that plants cue in on different wavelengths of light to regulate their development. We also know that plant species harbor genetic diversity in individuals’ abilities to tolerate herbivore damage. In my talk and poster, I will explain how the plant’s genotype interacts with its biotic (herbivore damage) and abiotic (light) environments to influence its ability to regrow and reproduce following substantial tissue removal. It turns out that the plant’s genome matters considerably, but its sequence isn’t the primary factor.
Don’t miss Dr. Scholes talk Monday at 2:43 pm in CS13!