Recognizing Plant Physiology first authors: Anna Newman-Griffis

Anna Newman-Griffis, first author of Medicago LINC complexes function in nuclear morphology, nuclear movement, and root nodule symbiosis

Current Position: Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University Center for Life Sciences Education

Education: BA, Biology, Carleton College; PhD, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, The Ohio State University

Non-scientific interests: Baking, sewing, hiking, gaming, singing

Brief bio: I first fell in love with plant biology while studying the genetic basis of flowering time in the model legume Chamaecrista fasciculata under Dr. Susan Singer at Carleton College. My experience with Dr. Singer inspired me to pursue graduate study in Biology, so I went on to The Ohio State University, entering the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology program. At Ohio State, working in the lab of Dr. Iris Meier, my first project focused on understanding the developmental requirement for different functional domains of the nucleocytoplasmic transport protein RanGAP in both the gametophyte and sporophyte generations of Arabidopsis. Following the publication of this project, I returned to my roots in legume biology to investigate the role of Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes in nuclear movement and rhizobial symbiosis in the widely-used model legume Medicago truncatula. As I transition to teaching, I hope to continue to use my research and love of plant biology to inspire the next generation of plant scientists.