ANNE BORLAND, Reader in Molecular Plant Physiology in the School of Biology at Newcastle University and Director of Moorbank Botanic Garden
A PLANT FOR ALL SEASONS
Date/Time: 28th April 2009, 17:30
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Over the next forty years, to double food production, whilst fulfilling the global demand for sustainable sources of bioenergy, will be a major challenge for humankind. Research and engagement in plant sciences will be crucial to provide the scientific understanding to develop better crops and, in educating people about the importance of plants for sustainable development, to inspire a new generation of plant biologists. This talk will look at how plant science research and engagement are being addressed here at Newcastle University.
Anne Borland is Reader in Molecular Plant Physiology and Director of Moorbank Botanic Gardens at Newcastle University and her main research interest is plants that are 'nocturnal'. Dr Borland has published widely on this topic, and has led a number of field expeditions to the tropics to examine the phenomenon. She was European Chair of the 2008 Gordon Research Conference on 'CO2 assimilation in plants', is a member of the Society for Experimental Biology Education and Public Affairs Committee, and is Principal Investigator of the Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL) for the North East. OPAL is a Big Lottery-funded Changing Spaces initiative, aimed at encouraging the public to become more involved with nature through a range of local and national projects across England.