Plants have an incredible impact on our lives, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. Researchers like Robin Buell are using plants to create sustainable fuels and renewable energy sources.
Dr. Buell applies our knowledge of a plant’s DNA to increase crop production yields, improve plant disease resistance, and develop new biotechnology techniques. Her cutting-edge research in re-engineering poplar trees as producers of biomaterials received a $15.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Plants are essential components of life, and my natural curiosity about them drives so much of my research. There is a lot left to discover about improving agricultural management practices, crop yields, nutrition content, and disease resistance.”