(Biology) – Research: My laboratory investigates the cellular mechanisms that plants use to cope with abiotic (cold, drought, etc.) and biotic (pathogen attack) stress. We are particularly interested in understanding the role of calcium ions as second messengers in stress-induced signal transduction pathways. Our research focuses on how calcium-binding proteins (often termed 'calcium sensors'), such as calmodulin and calmodulin-related proteins (CMLs), participate in the complex responses of plant cells to environmental stress. This work helps provide a base of knowledge in stress physiology and informs the technology for engineering improved stress-tolerance in important crop species