Recognizing Plant Physiology first authors: Peter M Kopittke

Peter M Kopittke, first author of Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy as a technique for imaging of elements in plants

Current Position: Associate Professor in Soil and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia

Education: PhD in Soil Science, Graduate Certificate in Education

Non-scientific Interests: Nil

Brief bio: After graduating from my PhD, I was fortunate to be mentored by N Menzies, P Blamey, and C Asher. During this time, I established my current research path, which focusses on improving food production to feed the growing human population. An important component of my research has been the use of synchrotron-based approaches, which I used for the first time in 2010. My work at the synchrotron has focussed on understanding the behavior of nutrients and contaminants in soil-plant systems. I am grateful to those who have generously shared their skills in this regard, including E Lombi, P Cowpitke, AS George.