Plant Physiology Spotlights November First Authors
Behind the Plant Physiology manuscripts are researchers, professors, professionals and students dedicated to advancing the field of plant science. You’ve seen our First Authors on Twitter and Facebook— now, read more about why they chose to pursue plant sciences and click on the links below the pictures to read their articles.
Sagar Bashyal
Sagar Bashyal is the First Author of CLAVATA signaling in plant-environment interactions published November 1, 2023. Bashyal is currently a PhD student at University of Miami. Education background includes a Msc. Plant Sciences at University of Bonn in 2020 and a B.tech in Biotechnology at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University in 2018. Research interests include understanding the molecular mechanisms of autoregulation of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Personal interests include volleyball, soccer and gardening.
“Plant molecular research provides the thrill of unlocking nature’s secrets, from sustainable agriculture to life-saving medicines,” said Bashyal when asked why plant science is important.
Chandan Kumar Gautam
Chandan Kumar Gautam is the First Author of CLAVATA signaling in plant-environment interactions published November 1, 2023. This first author is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Miami. Gautam’s education background includes a Ph.D Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences at Academia Sinica and National Chung Hsing University in 2021 and a B.Tech in Biotechnology from VIT University in 2015. Research interests include plant nutrition, plant-microbes interaction, and plant physiology. Personal interests include running, hiking, cycling, farming and volleyball.
Gautam’s formative years were spent in the Indian countryside, enveloped by lush farmlands and abundant greenery. During this period, Gautam developed a profound fascination for the intricate and diverse world of plants, gaining an appreciation for their pivotal role within our ecosystem. Their remarkable ability to adapt, harness sunlight through photosynthesis, and contribute to our sustenance, pharmaceuticals, and ecosystem processes captivated Gautam’s attention. In today’s global landscape, we grapple with pressing challenges, notably climate change and food security. Within the field of plant science, Guatam has discovered a wellspring of hope for addressing these critical issues. This hope serves as a driving force, continually inspiring this first author’s commitment to this work. “I firmly believe that unlocking the potential of plants is paramount to forging a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet,” says Guatam.
Shizhan Chen
Chen is the First Author of Cryptochrome 1b represses gibberellin signaling to enhance lodging resistance in maize published 02 November 2023. Chen is currently a Research assistant at Henan Agricultural University. Education background includes: 2022 Ph.D Agronomy at Henan Agricultural University; 2017 MSc Crop Cultivation and Farming System at Henan Agricultural University; 2015 BSc Quarantine of Animals and Plants at Shanxi Agricultural University. Research interests include molecular biology and light signal transduction. Personal interests include basketball, table tennis and music.
Chen comes from the countryside where wheat and corn have always been a part of the upbringing. Therefore, Chen’s master’s and doctoral studies followed my advisors’ guidance in learning about the growth and development of wheat and corn, respectively. Chen’s master’s advisor, Professor Yin Jun, and doctoral advisor, Professor Yang Jianping, have both inspired and guided Chen on this path of exploring the field of plant science.
Gesa Helmsorig
Gesa Helmsorig (she/her) is the First Author of early maturity 7 promotes early flowering by controlling the light input into the circadian clock in barley published 10 November 2023. She is currently a PhD student at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf. In 2018, she earned a 2018 MSc in Molecular Cell Biology at Bielefeld University. In 2016, she earned a BSc in Molecular Biology at Bielefeld University. Research interests include flowering time regulation. Personal interests include reading and cycling.
Helmsorig is fascinated by the great potential of plants to adapt to highly diverse conditions and recover even from substantial stress.
Xiaojing Liu
Xiaojing Liu (he/his) is the First Author of Conserved serine phosphorylation regulates histone deacetylase activity in Arabidopsis and humans published 15 Nov 2023. He earned a Ph.D a Wuhan University. Liu’s education background includes a 2020 Ph.D in Genetics at Wuhan University and a 2016 MSc in Genetics at Nanchang University. Research interests include plant epigenetics. Personal interests include reading. Liu wants to become an agricultural scientist to improve agricultural production.
Ariadna Iglesias-Sanchez
Ariadna Iglesias-Sanchez (she/her) is the First Author of Arabidopsis FIBRILLIN6 influences carotenoid biosynthesis by directly promoting phytoene synthase activity published 15 November 2023. She is currently a PhD Candidate. Her education background includes: a Ph.D in Plant biology and biotechnology in 2019; a MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2018; and a BSc in Biotechnology in 2013. Research interests include plant secondary metabolism (with or without biotic/abiotic stresses) and carotenoid metabolism. Personal interests include pottery, cooking and painting.
During Iglesias-Sanchez’s undergraduate years, a single question from a professor set ablaze her passion for Plant Science: “Can plants think?” His fervent explanation of intricate botanical interactions was a revelation. From that moment, she resolved to delve deeper, to uncover the mysteries of plant cognition, and to broaden our understanding.
Juan Navarro Carcelén
Juan Navarro Carcelén (he/him) is the First Author of Arabidopsis FIBRILLIN6 influences carotenoid biosynthesis by directly promoting phytoene synthase activity published 15 November 2023. He is currently a PhD Student at Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP). In 2021, he earned a MSc degree in Agroforestry Biotechnology in 2020, he earned a BSc Degree in Biotechnology. Research interests include plant secondary metabolism (with or without biotic/abiotic stresses), carotenoid metabolism. Personal interests include Video Games, cooking, and history.
The love and interest Carcelén feels for plants, agronomy and molecular biology is what moves and inspires him in his day to day life. Offering the fruits of my work to improve the quality of life of citizens and farmers is the dream he pursues.
Yan Chen
Yan Chen is the First Author of The role of histone acetylation in transcriptional regulation and seed development published 18 November 2023. Chen is a Post-doctoral fellow at Guangzhou University. Education background include a Postdoc from Guangzhou University in 2018, a PhD from South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010, and a BS from Hebei Normal University in 2006. Research interests include Epigenetics, bioinformatics, RNA biology, and stress biology. Personal interests include hiking.
Chen loves plant science because “to study it can answer interesting questions as well as feed us”.
Hai Zhang
Hai Zhang is the First Author of Sugarcane mosaic virus employs 6K2 to interact with and impair ScPIP2;4 transport of H2O2 to facilitate virus infection published 01 November 2023. Zhang is currently a Ph.D candidate, National Engineering Research Center for Sugarcane, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, P. R. China. Education background includes: 2020 Ph.D in Crop Genetics and Breeding at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University; 2017 MSc in Crop Genetics and Breeding at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University; 2013 MSc in Agronomy at Anhui Science and Technology College. Research interests include biotic stress and personal interests include running and Chinese chess. When asked why Zhang studies plant science: “The plant viruses are very simple in structure. It is really interesting to investigate how the viruses establish infection on host plants.”
