Close up shot of plant in pot with small thin branches

Department of Plant Biology

The Department of Plant Biology is the central hub on campus for pioneering research on plants. The department mission is to comprehensively understand fundamental plant biological processes and develop real-world applications in agriculture and biotechnology. The department specializes in three main research areas: plant developmental biology and physiology, plant-environment and inter-organismal interactions, and plant biochemistry and metabolism. Faculty explore diverse organisms, ranging from algae to higher plants including many major food and bioenergy crops. In addition to employing classical genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, our faculty include experts in cutting-edge omics, systems and synthetic biology, imaging, X-ray crystallography and single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We integrate these approaches to address various fundamental questions in plant biology and translate the knowledge to make advancements in crop improvement, natural product engineering, and other bio-based technologies. 

Leadership

Savithramma Dinesh Kumar
[email protected]
(530) 752-2205		ChairFaculty Profile
Steven Theg
[email protected]
(530) 752-0624		Vice ChairFaculty Profile
Lisa Blake
[email protected]
(530) 752-6736		Chief Administrative Officer 

Undergraduate Programs

Major
Degrees
Plant BiologyB.A.
Plant BiologyB.S.
Systems and Synthetic BiologyB.S.
Minor
 
Plant Biology 

Graduate Programs

Male and female researcher in blue lab coats in greenhouse with tomato plants

CBS Graduate Groups

Faculty in the department participate in one or more of the college’s eight interdisciplinary graduate groups, which range widely in topic, opportunity and faculty expertise, and offer graduate students an immersive, highly collaborative graduate experience. 

Facilities

Red flowers that are in a geometric pattern

Botanical Conservatory

The Botanical Conservatory, founded in 1959, is a 3,600 square-foot complex north of Storer Hall that serves as an educational facility, research resource, and genetic diversity preserve, housing over 4,000 plant species from around the world.
Tray of small plants in individual containers

Controlled Environment Facility

The department's controlled environment facilities are specialized spaces that allow researchers to precisely regulate temperature, humidity, light, and airflow to support research work with a variety of plants and other organisms.
Researcher in greenhouse

Research Greenhouses

The department's research greenhouses encompass a diverse array of 22 greenhouses, a screenhouse, and 13,000 square feet of field space. These facilities support research on various plant species.
Esau Building exterior

Teaching Greenhouses

The teaching greenhouse atop Katherine Esau Science Hall is an innovative facility where faculty and students conduct research, nurture plants, and explore cutting-edge techniques to enhance crop abundance, nutrition, and plant resilience.
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