Botany
Keith Adams
Office Location: Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre
Office Phone Number: 604-822-2355
Lab Phone Number: 604 822-8864
Email: keith.adams@botany.ubc.ca
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biodiversty, Ecology &
Evolution
Dr Adams’ lab conducts research in areas of molecular evolution, genome evolution and
gene expression using molecular techniques and analyses of DNA sequences and expression.
He works on polyploid Brassica napus (canola) and Arabidopsis thaliana (cotton) to investigate
long term effects of duplicated genes and Populus (cottonwood), canada thistle hybrids for
research on hybridization.
Major questions addressed:
How do duplicated genes change in expression patterns and alternative splicing patterns?
How do duplicated genes change in functions and in subcellular localizations?
How does gene expression and alternative splicing change upon interspecific hybridization and
allopolyploidy, as well as over evolutionary time in a polyploid plant?
How does duplicate gene expression vary by organ type and developmental stage and what
impacts does that have on gene retention and function?
How is duplicate gene expression affected by environmental stress conditions?
How do duplicate gene sequences and structures evolve?
*Will do some more research*
Courses taught:
BIOL 430: Genome Evolution
BIOL/APBI (440): Plant Genomics
BIOL 525c: Topics in Systematics and Evolution: Topics in Molecular Evolution
BIOL 336: Fundamentals of Evolution (not listed but I am in this course and he’s teaching right
now)
Amy Angert
Office Location: Room 220, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre
Office Phone Number: 604-827-3892
FAX: 604-822-6089
Email: amy.angert@botany.ubc.ca
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Angert’s lab group investigates mechanisms of adaptive divergence between populations
and species and the consequences of divergence for patterns of distribution and abundance by
combining experimental manipulations in the field and lab with observations of natural
populations with tools from quantitative genetics and physiological ecology. Evolutionary
ecology of geographic ranges within the genus Mimulus ("monkeyflowers") is the primary model
used.
Dr. Gary Bradfield
Email: garyb@mail.ubc.ca
Office : 604 822-4993
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Bradfield’s research focuses on plant community ecology involving the descriptive and
correlative analysis of vegetation - environmental relationships. In addition, he is also interested
in the development of vegetation pattern and organization through time, and in determining the
factors that influence community change and the spatial/temporal scales on which they operate.
Currently, the lab is conducting research in three areas: (1) Coastal marshes and bogs, including
plant community structure and restoration of damaged ecosystems. (2) Effects of habitat
fragmentation on plant functional groups, including diversity changes in bryophytes, lichens, and
vascular plants after logging in coastal forests. (3) Natural disturbances and ecosystem linkages
in montane forests, including the relationships between tree size/age distributions, environmental
conditions, and disturbance history at the tree, stand, and landscape scales.
Courses Taught:
Science 120 - Topics in Sustainability Science
Biology 306 - Advanced Ecology
Biology 406 - Plant Ecology 1 (Methods in Plant Community Ecology)
Botany 526 - Advanced Community Analysis
Dr. Joerg Bohlmann
Email: bohlmann@msl.ubc.ca
Office Location: MSL 321
Office: 604-822-0282
Lab: 604 822-9673
Lab Location: MSL383
Associated Departments
Depts. of Forest Science and Botany; Associate of the UBC Wine Research Centre
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Research: http://www.msl.ubc.ca/faculty/bohlmann
Dr.Quentin Cronk
Email: quentin.cronk@ubc.ca
Office: 604-690-6275
Office Location: The Biodiversity Research Centre, Rm 222
Lab Location: The Biodiversity Research Centre, Rm 255
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Cronk’s research focuses on integrating comparative genomics, molecular developmental
biology and evolutionary biology to study plant form. More specifically, the lab is interested in
how different morphologies evolve in plants, as well as the functional significance of
morphological differences between species. The main model organisms for this include the
Leguminosae (floral morphology) and black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa (adaptive
evolution of trees).
Research in the lab is funded by the Discovery Grants programme of the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Genome Canada.
Courses Taught:
BIOL 324: Introduction to Seed Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 440: Plant Genomics
Website: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2010/03/plant_communities.php
Dr. Carl Douglas
Email: carl.douglas@ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-2618
Lab: 604-822-6383
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biodiversty, Ecology &
Evolution
Dr. Douglas’s research focuses on the regulation of plant gene expression, plant phenylpropanoid
and related natural products, secondary cell wall development, pollen wall
formation, Populus (poplar) genomics and molecular biology, and cellulosic biofuels. Current
projects being addressed in Professor Douglas’s lab include transcriptional regulation of
secondary wall formation, pollen wall formation and Poplar genomics and improvement of
poplar as a cellulosic biofuel.
Current Teaching:
UBC Faculty of Science Science One Program
Introductory biology componenthttp://www.scienceone.ubc.ca/home/
Lab website: http://thedouglaslab.blogspot.com
Dr. Naomi Fast
Email: naomi.fast@ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-1630
Lab: 604-822-6817
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Fast’s research focuses on understanding genome evolution in single-celled eukaryotes, as
well as changing in genome size. As genomes are reduced in size, there are likely to be changes
in the amounts of non-coding material. Specifically, the lab is interested in the retention,
reduction and/or removal of introns. Introns interrupt genes, and are removed from mRNA by a
large macromolecular protein and RNA complex called the spliceosome. In metazoans, where
genomes tend to be quite large, introns can be quite long (sometimes several kb), and the
spliceosome is extremely large with over a hundred proteins. In contrast, the yeast
Saccharomyces possesses a much smaller genome and has relatively few introns that tend to be
short. The yeast spliceosome is also predicted to be smaller, with only ~80 proteins. A lineage of
lesser-studied eukaryotes, the microsporidia, is distantly related to fungi and possesses genomes
that are very tiny; at the extreme, smaller than many bacterial genomes. By using microsporidia
as a model system, the aim of the lab is to examine the effects of genome reduction on the
evolution of introns and the spliceosomal machinery.
Current Teaching:
BIOL 431: Advanced Cell Biology
BIOL 336: Fundamentals of Evolution (w/ J. Whitton)
Dr. Mary Berbee
Email: berbee@interchange.ubc.ca
Office Location: Room 3209, Biological Sciences Building
Office: 604-822-3780
Lab: 604-822-2019
FAX: 604-822-6089
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Berbee’s research focuses on the diversity and molecular phylogenetics of fungi. Fungi and
animals shared a common ancestor over a billion years ago. Since that time, animals evolved
into herbivores and predators while fungi became specialized as decay agents and recyclers in
the environment; as plant and animal pathogens; and as symbionts contributing as mycorrhizal
partners to plant growth. Through a combination of field and laboratory work, the lab aims to find
and culture fungi and fungus-like organisms, many of them new to science, and then applying
microscopic and molecular phylogenetic techniques to place the origin and diversification of the
fungi in a phylogenetic context.
Current Teaching:
Biology 209: Biology of Nonvascular Plants
Biology 323: Structure and Reproduction of Fungi
Biology 448: Directed studies
Biology 525: Phylogenetics Workshop.
Sean Graham
E-mail: sean.graham@ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-4816; Lab: 604-822-3600
Rm 320, Biodiversity Research Centre
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Graham’s research focuses on plant synthesis and the phylogenies of terrestrial plants.
Answering various plant evolutionary questions from a phylogenetic standpoint is the main focus
of his lab. His lab group aims to understand the earliest diverging branches of plant phylogeny
through working with regions of the plastid in plant cells and nuclear genome. By discovering
mutations in the plastid genome, Dr. Graham’s lab has gained insight in land-plant evolution.
Courses Taught:
BIOL 210: Biology of Vascular Plants
BIOL 448: Directed Studies
BIOL 525: Phylogenetics Workshop (next offered in June, 2013)
BOTA 501: Seminar Studies in Botany
SCIE 300: Communicating Science
citation: http://botany.ubc.ca/people/sean-graham
Paul G. Harrison
(Associate Dean, is currently not doing research)
George Haughn
E-mail: haughn@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-9089; Lab: 604-822-2437
Rm__________
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Haughn’s lab focuses on the study of morphogenesis (how an organism develops its shape)
in Arabidopsis (a genus of plants containing Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism for
studying plant biology. The Haughn Lab focuses on genetic analysis of how the seed coat
differentiates by the network of transcription factors regulating cell differentiation. Tilling is a
technique used extensively in the lab to identify allelic mutations in an organism’s DNA.
Recently their discovery two genes, BOP1 and BOP2, has led to further understanding of the
symmetry of a developmental axes as well as leaf and floral morphogenesis.
Courses Taught:
Biology 335 - Molecular Genetics
Biology 433 - Plant Genetics
Lab website: http://blogs.ubc.ca/haughn/
citation: http://www.botany.ubc.ca/people/george-haughn
Dr. Ljerka Kunst
Email: kunst@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-2351
Lab: 604-822-2370
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Kunst’s research focuses on understanding the following aspects of plant fatty acid and lipid
metabolism:
1.
2.
Biosynthesis and secretion of cuticular wax
Regulation of seed storage oil production
The lab uses a combination of molecular-genetic, genomic, biochemical and cytological
approaches in a model crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana to define the molecular mechanisms that
control these metabolic pathways. Hopefully, the knowledge of cuticle structure and function will
facilitate the development of crops with improved tolerance to drought and other environmental
stresses. Similarly, understanding seed oil metabolism may serve as sources of renewable
materials and as biofuel feedstocks.
Courses Taught:
Biology 200 - Cell Biology
Biology 433 - Plant Genetics
Dr. Xin Li
Email: xinli@msl.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-3155
Lab: 604-822-3205
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Li’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant innate immunity.
More specifically, the lab aims to study plant defense against pathogen infection in the context
of gene regulation, protein-protein interaction and signal transduction using the model organism
Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, the lab aims to discover new regulatory components of plant
disease resistance, and to elucidate the biochemical functions of a number of regulators that
have already identified. Understanding the innate ability of plants to defend themselves against
pathogen infection promises to revolutionize disease control practices in our fields using
environmentally friendly strategies.
Courses Taught:
Biology 443 - Plant Genetics
BIOL 421/AGRO426 – Plant Microbe Interactions
Dr. Patrick Keeling
Email: pkeeling@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-4906
Lab: 604-822-2845
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biodiversty, Ecology &
Evolution
Dr. Keeling’s research focuses on molecular evolution and cell biology of eukaryotes, in
particular the protists. They are using molecular methods to look at various protist groups to see
how they evolved and what they tell us about eukaryotic evolution in general. More specifically,
the main interests are in using molecules to reconstruct evolutionary relationships, examining
how parasites evolve and infect their hosts, and studying how the origin of organelles by
endosymbiosis affected the host cells. Some current projects focus on Origin and evolution of
the apicomplexa, Plastid function in Helicosporidium, Function of mitochondria in microsporidian
spores and Origin of non-canonical genetic codes, how they affect translation machinery,
Chlorarachnion EST project and Protist EST Project.
Courses Taught:
Biology 332 – Protistology
Dr. Jae-Hyeok Lee
Email: jae-hyeok.lee@botany.ubc.ca
Office Location: Biological Sciences Building, Rm 2327
Office: 604-827-5973
Lab Location: Biological Sciences Building, Rm 2332
Lab: 604-827-5971
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biodiversty, Ecology &
Evolution
Dr. Lee’s research focuses on photosynthetic eukaryotes, collectively referred to as "algae".
They are interested not only in how they have shaped the world as we now know it, but also in
developing them for useful societal applications. To this end, they have
selected Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a model for studying green algal developmental
programs, and how they are controlled in the context of environmental changes. In addition to
its role as a useful evolutionary model system, Chlamydomonas also serves as an experimental
model to explore the potential of photosynthetic microalgae as a sustainable resource for the
capture of atmospheric carbon, and its conversion to commercially useful compounds such as
biofuel and antioxidants. The major research activities in the lab are organized into three
following groups: High-throughput functional genomics, Algae-plant evolution, and Quantitative
genetics.
Courses Taught:
BIOL 260 - Fundamentals of Physiology, Plant Sections (2012/2013 Spring)
Reinhard Jetter
E-mail: reinhardjetter@botany.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-2477
Rm: Biological Sciences 2009
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Jetter’s research focuses on the surface of terrestrial plants and the waxy cuticle that forms
around plants to restrict water loss and provide chemical and mechanical defense. His lab aims
to gain a deeper understanding of this plant tissue by applying biomechanical and chemical
methods to the synthesis and accumulation of surface compounds during organ development.
Also, the surface compounds is researched in its physiological role in transporting water,
creating slippery surfaces and acting as infochemicals to moderate insect behavior.
Courses Taught:
CHEM 233 - Organic Chemistry for Non-Majors
CHEM 333 - Spectroscopic Techniques in Organic Chemistry
BIOL 423 - Plant Stress Ecophysiology
Dr. Patrick T Martone
E-mail: pmartone@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-9338; Lab: 604-822-9413
Rm 3224, Biological Sciences Building
Category: Biomechanics, Evolution, Ecophysiology
The Martone lab is interested in investigating the underlying biomechanical, evolutionary, and
physiological mysteries behind intertidal seaweeds. Specifically, they are investigating the
mechanical properties that allow algae to survive in the harsh conditions of the intertidal zone.
Additionally, their work explores the selective pressures that shape the diversity of marine
seaweeds, such as the convergent evolution of coralline algae. Some current projects examine
the varying physiological performance of seaweed species along the BC coast, to anticipate
changes in species abundance and distribution in response to climate change.
Dr. Patrick Martone teaches BIOL320: Survey of the Algae and MRNE425: Ecological
Adaptations of Seaweeds, offered to undergraduated students at Bamfield Marine Sciences
Centre.
“We are always on the lookout for bright, creative students who are inspired by seaweeds and
want to understand how life "works." Applications from students with NSERC or NSF fellowships
are especially welcome. To discuss possibilities of joining the lab, send Patrick an email.”
Dr. Loren Rieseberg
E-mail: lriesebe@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-827-4540; Lab: 604-827-3535
Rm 217, Biodiversity Research Centre
Category: Evolution, Genetics
The Rieseberg lab integrates high-throughput genomic methods, bioinformatics, ecological
experiments, and evolutionary theory to study the origin and evolution of species, domesticated
plants, and weeds. Some of the problems we are currently working on are described below:
-> I am going to request an interview because his research is far too complex for my
minimal understanding of population genetics, ecology, and evolution
Dr. Loren Rieseberg teaches BIOL415 -Evolutionary Processes in Plants (and BIOL525 Speciation).
The syllabus, readings, lecture slides among other details for the course BIOL415 can be
accessed here: http://www3.botany.ubc.ca/rieseberglab/plantevol/plantevo.html
Dr. Fred Sack
Email: fsack@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-827-4564; Lab: 604-827-4510
Rm _____, ______________
Professor, University of British Columbia
Ph.D. Plant Biology Cornell University (1982)
B.A. Sociology Antioch University (1969)
Category: Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics
Research in the Sack laboratory is primarily focused on the cellular and molecular biology of
how stomata develop. Stomata are specialized structures that functions as a pore to open and
close regulating the entry of carbon dioxide used in photosynthesis. Using a genetic approach,
the Sack group identified genes critical for cellular differentiation and patterning underlying
stomatal formation. Some current projects focus on the mapping the cellular events for stomatal
formation and the cell biology of “divisions” (cytokensis?), especially with respect to the
cytoskeleton.
Dr. Fred Sack teaches BIOL210 -Vascular Plants.
Lacey Samuels
E-mail: lsamuels@mail.ubc.ca
Office:604-822-3554; Lab: 604-822-5223
Rm 3531, Biological Sciences Building
Category: Cell Biology
Research in the Samuels lab is primarily focussed on the cellular mechanisms by which plant
cells secrete their cell walls. The work ranges from identifying the cellular transport mechanisms
underlying lipid export to biochemical synthesis of lignin for wood formation. The approaches
used range from cell and molecular biology to biochemistry, using techniques such as
transmission electron microscopy. Investigation of cellular events behind lignin formation has
led to progress in the use of cellulose for biofuels.
Dr. Lacey Samuels teaches BIOL200 -Fundamentals of Cell Biology, SCIE 113 - First Year
Seminar in Science (and BIOL 535 - Teaching and Learning in the Life Sciences).
Curtis Suttle
E-mail: csuttle@eos.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-8610; Lab: 604-827-5715
Rm 346, Biodiversity Research Centre
Category: Ecology, (Marine Virology and Microbiology)
Research in the Suttle laboratory is primarily focussed on viruses and their role in the
environment. The work ranges from the characterization of viruses isolated from the
environment to quantifying the role of viruses in microbial mortality and nutrient cycling. The
techniques employed range from nucleic-acid sequencing to oceanographic sampling. Some
current projects are examining viruses and their roles in the oceans, high Arctic, deep mines,
aeolian dust, lakes and migratory-bird ponds.
Citation for blurb: http://www.eos.ubc.ca/about/faculty/C.Suttle.html
Dr. Philippe D. Tortell
Email: ptortell@eos.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-4728
Lab: 604-822-6088
FAX: 604-822-6088
Associate Professor
B.Sc. McGill (1994) M.A. Princeton University (1997);
Ph.D. Princeton University (2001)
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr.Tortell’s research focuses on biological oceanography; physiology, ecology, and evolution of
marine phytoplankton and bacteria; CO2 effects on oceanic productivity; trace metal nutrition
and toxicity in the sea, biological isotope fractionation. For phytoplankton, very little is known
about the response of phytoplankton to natural and anthropogenic fluctuations in atmospheric
CO2 concentrations. Future laboratory and field work shall examine the physiology and
biochemistry of C assimilation in a variety of marine algal taxa and, more generally, the role of
inorganic C in the ecology of oceanic primary producers. Also, it is now firmly established that
phytoplankton growth in large areas of the oceans is limited by the availability of Fe. Research
in this area will focus on examining the trace metal requirements of marine bacteria, and
documenting the physiological and biochemical responses of these organisms to metal
deficiency.
Courses Taught:
Biology 447 - Principles and Methodology in Biological Research II
Dr. Roy Turkington
Email: royt@mail.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-2141
Lab Location: 3529 Biological Sciences Building
Lab: 604-822-2700
FAX: 604-822-6089
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Turkington’s research focuses on two primary questions: (i) how are plant communities
structured, and (ii) how do they function? The first question is addressed by two major sets of
studies. First they are testing if the plant community is structured primarily by nutrient limitation,
by herbivory, or by their interaction. Second, they are testing hypotheses about the impacts of
competition on community structure and if the magnitude of these impacts change in predictable
ways along productivity gradients? The second question is also addressed by major two sets of
studies. First, they are using "functional group knock-out" experiments in which selected
components of a plant community are removed and the consequent changes in community
dynamics and ecosystem function monitored. Second, by simulating species loss from natural
systems, in conjunction with seed and seedling additions in order to determine the effect of plant
species identity on invasibility of a community, and the effect of the level of the disturbance of
the community on subsequent invasion.
Courses Taught:
Biology 304 – Fundamentals of Ecology
Biology 407 – Plant Population Biology
Botany 527 – Dynamics of Plant populations (BIOL 525c)
Dr.Geoffrey Wasteneys
Email: geoff.wasteneys@botany.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-4664
Lab: 604-822-3480
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr. Wasteneys’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of cell division and
expansion in plants. The microtubule cytoskeleton is a key player in governing these events.
The lab is currently focused on elucidating the mechanisms of how microtubules in plant cells
are organized, and how these different organizations affect cell expansion and division.
Courses Taught:
BIOL 352 - Plant Physiology
BIOL 362 - Cellular Physiology
BIOL 448 - Directed Studies in Biology
BOTA 546F - Cell Walls
CELL 504 - Cytoskeleton
Dr. Jeannette Whitton
Email: jeannette.whitton@botany.ubc.ca
Office: 604-822-8863
Lab : 604-822-8864
Category: Biodiversty, Ecology & Evolution
Dr. Whitton’s research focuses on broad areas that span the areas of population genetics,
phylogenetics and speciation. Research in her lab takes a variety of approaches from
comparative to experimental, from the level of populations, through the study of whole genera.
More specifically, her research group studies multiple systems in the sunflower family
(Asteraceae).
Lab website: http://whittonlab.weebly.com
Dr. Yuelin Zhang
Email: yuelin.zhang@ubc.ca
Office: 604-827-3794
Category: Biochemistry, Development, Cell & Molecular Biology
Dr.Zhang’s research focuses on sensing and defending against microbial infections that is
essential to the survival of multicellular organisms. In plants, recognition of pathogen effectors
or PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) by plant immune receptors leads to local
activation of downstream signaling cascades and resistance to pathogens. Local defense
responses also activate a secondary resistance response in the distal parts of plants termed
systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Currently, the lab focuses on the following two areas:
Signal Transduction Pathways downstream of Plant Immune Receptors and Systemic Acquired
Resistance.