UFGI faculty profile – david oppenheimer

Name: David G. Oppenheimer

Born: Illinois, USA

Position at UF: Associate Professor, Department of Botany, CLAS

Job before this one: Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama

Current research interest, in layman’s terms: We are currently involved in two different aspects of plant development. The first is trying to understand how plant cell shape is important. Our model of choice is the trichome (plant hair) on the leaves of Arabidopsis  plants. We are taking a combined genetic and molecular approach by isolating mutants that affect the shape of the trichomes, and isolating the genes that are identified by the mutations. Once the genes are in hand, we use a variety of cell biological and biochemical tools to determine the functions of the proteins they encode. We have recently isolated several novel genes that control aspects of cytoskeleton organization. Our second project involves the evolution of the angiosperm flower. Our group is part of a larger consortium that is taking a comparative genomics approach to flower evolution.

Prior Research: I have also worked on plant tubulin genes, and a myb transcription factor that controls cell fate in plants.

Education: PhD (1987) and BS (1982) from the University of Minnesota

Family: Married to the adorable Paris H. Grey

When I'm not at work, I am: Traveling in the UK or Europe or thinking about traveling in the UK or Europe

The best thing that I've done lately that no one knows about: Made a donation to my favorite charity

Last non-work related book: “The Island of the Day Before” by Umberto Eco, and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” by J. K. Rowling

Last movie in a theater and your thoughts: “Lord of the Rings, Return of the King” (it needed more battle scenes)

Something always in your refrigerator: At least six kinds of mustard, and German beer (Hefe weizen)

People would be surprised to know that: I have pet rabbits.

Contact me at: doppen@botany.ufl.edu