faculty-by-research-area
Botany & Plant Pathology
Chris Oakley
Assistant Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology
Courses Instructed:
- BTNY 302: Plant Ecology
Areas of Expertise:
- Climate and Energy Solutions
- Emerging Environmental Challenges
Research Interests:
The Oakley lab studies how plants adapt to different climates and environments. We focus on understanding the traits and genes that help plants survive in various conditions, and how adapting to one environment might affect their performance in another. Our research includes studying cold acclimation, where plants increase their freezing tolerance during cool autumn temperatures. We also explore the genetic and physiological mechanisms behind this adaptation using Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants like Populus and Plantago. Additionally, we investigate how small population sizes and inbreeding affect plant adaptation and fitness.
Student Opportunities:
I hire students for both hourly work and research credit. Tasks include:- Plant propagation, care, and maintenance
- Assisting in growth chamber or greenhouse experiments
- Data collection and entry
- DNA extraction and PCR
- General lab maintenance and cleaning
For research credit, students will lead an independent research project.