The research group of Professor Gail Taylor aims to understand the functioning of plants in relation to environment, particularly the changes in environment predicted for future decades. We work on trees, mostly the model tree genus, Populus (poplar), and on leafy salad crops, particularly lettuce and watercress, but also on some native herbs and plant communities.

Research interests:

Plant adaptation to a changing climate, genetics and genomics of leafy salad crops, non-food woody biomass crops for bioenergy, sustainability, ecosystem services, plants and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Brief overview:

Plants can play a critical role as we grapple with the wide scale impacts of a changing climate and rising global population. Plants provide food, feedstocks for energy and a range of other ecosystem services that help to sustain natural capital.

My research focuses on delivering improved plants for multiple purposes, including trees for bioenergy. Fast-growing trees and managed forests will contribute to the emerging bioeconomy for fuel and other high-value products. My lab uses the latest genomic technologies to understand how trees tolerate drought and identify desirable characteristic and genes for future breeding. I also work on leafy salad crops, particularly lettuce and watercress. I work with industry to develop agritech solutions to minimize resource use in these crops now and into the future.