Biosketch

Donald Ort is the Robert Emerson Professor of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. He is the Theme Leader of Genomic Ecology of Global Change in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at Illinois, Deputy Director of the Gates Foundation funded RIPE – Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency for Improved Crop Production project and the Chief Scientist of the DOE Center for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Innovation. His laboratory is engaged in three lines of research: i) Redesigning photosynthesis for improved efficiency; ii) Molecular and biochemical basis of environmental interactions with crop plants; iii) Ecological genomics: Interactive effects of CO2, temperature and drought on plant, plant canopy and plant ecosystem performance. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologist, a Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science Award and a Member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Research Interests

The Ort laboratory is engaged in three lines of research: i) Redesigning photosynthesis for improved efficiency; ii) Molecular and biochemical basis of environmental interactions with crop plants; iii) Ecological genomics: Interactive effects of CO2, temperature and drought on plant, plant canopy and plant ecosystem performance.

Membership Type

Member

Election Year

2017

Primary Section

Section 62: Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences

Secondary Section

Section 25: Plant Biology