Dr. Kathleen Brown

Biography

Kathleen M. Brown is a retired professor with expertise in plant stress biology. Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Florida, paired with a minor in Plant Physiology. She has an extensive background in genetics, with a Master's degree from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor's from the State University of New York. Her research interests encompass the exploration of root traits that influence crop performance, especially under conditions of soil stress such as drought and nutrient deficiency. Brown emphasizes the significance of root architectural traits, which dictate soil exploration and resource acquisition. Additionally, her work delves into root anatomical traits and their effects on the metabolic costs associated with resource uptake. Brown's lab employs genome-wide association studies to identify candidate genes that influence root trait development, leveraging tools such as CRISPR for validation. She is committed to improving the efficiency of water and nutrient use in crops, aiming to mitigate hunger and environmental degradation globally. Her teaching contributions include courses on postharvest physiology and effective scientific communication, along with mentoring undergraduate and graduate research through the Intercollege Graduate Program in Plant Biology.

Research Interests

Courses