Max Gray

PhD Student

Climate change is the largest unplanned experiment in human history. Luckily, for plant research, we already have ~200 years of data stored in the form of herbarium specimens! Some traits, like stomatal density or flowering time, have already shifted due to climate change, but the underlying molecular changes are unclear. I am interested in elucidating the genes behind this phenotypic change, with stomatal development as a starting point. 

I am also interested in questions of parallel evolution: Since climate change is a worldwide phenomenon, are plant populations across the globe evolving similarly? Is selection occurring on the same subset of genes? If so, these may be important targets to breed or genetically engineer in crops, which will also have to adapt to climate change. In this way, we can predict what may be advantageous in the future by looking at what has been successful in the past. 

During my undergrad at the University of British Columbia, I researched apomixis—the asexual formation of a seed—with Dr. Jeannette Whitton. I assisted in a population genomics study (led by Gracy Buckholtz, M.Sc.) that aimed to uncover the reproductive dynamics at play in mixed populations of apomictic and sexually reproducing Townsendia hookeri. Then, I took up my own project using molecular techniques to elucidate how the genes for apomixis have evolved across the sunflower family. I also worked with Dr. Shawn Mansfield, helping to genetically engineer poplar to produce anti-cancer compounds from cell wall precursors. 

Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, music, and hiking (slowly, to not miss any plants!).