850: Investigating the Biology and Genetics of Plant Growth, Form, and Cellular Communication - Dr. Dave Jackson

Dr. Dave Jackson is Professor of Plant Genetics at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Dave is driven to understand what makes plants grow and why various types of plants look different from each other. His research examines how genes control plant shapes, including investigations into the role of genetics and stem cells. The long-term goal is to turn this foundational knowledge into tools that can improve agriculture. Outside the lab, Dave works to keep a healthy balance by getting outdoors to go hiking, backpacking, and camping. He also dedicates time to art and music, which are abundant in New York City. Dave loves supporting emerging artists and musicians, particularly bio-art and jazz music. Artistic creativity is a lot like the creative process in science. He's especially excited by how artists can translate scientific ideas into forms that feel more accessible and inviting to the public. He obtained his bachelor's degree in biotechnology from the University of Leeds and was awarded his PhD from the John Innes Institute. Afterwards, Dave conducted research as a NATO and USDA Postdoctoral Fellow at the Plant Gene Expression Center in Berkeley, CA, before joining the faculty at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 1997. He was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2018. In our interview, Dave shares more about his life and science.