Dr. Richard Poethig

Biography

Richard Scott Poethig is a faculty member in the Biomedical Graduate Studies at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in the genetic regulation of the juvenile-to-adult transition in plants, focusing on the mechanisms involved in this critical developmental process. His research highlights the role of RNA interference (RNAi) in regulating developmental timing through microRNAs (miRNAs) and a newly identified class of small RNAs known as 'trans-acting siRNAs'. His work investigates the mutations that influence this transition, aiming to elucidate the genetic basis for the timing and function of developmental transitions in plants. Alongside his research, he is involved in training the next generation of scientists, supervising graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in his laboratory, where projects include mutant screens and molecular characterization of phase change mutations. Furthermore, Poethig's contributions to the field are significant, particularly in understanding the biogenesis and function of small RNAs that play critical roles in plant development. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Wooster and a Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from Yale University.

Research Interests