PhD (2017)

(co-advised with David Braun, Division of Biological Sciences)

Current Position

Senior Discovery Scientist, Seed Production Innovation Group, Bayer Crop Science, St Louis, Missouri

Education

B.S., Biological Sciences, Botany-Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Research Interests

My project is focused on architectural changes in root morphology arising due to water deficits. Specifically, I am focusing on the role of carbon partitioning in lateral root proliferation in response to mild and severe water deficits utilizing the model system maize. By using thermocouple psychrometry to create media with reproducible stress levels I am able to examine how very specific water deficit levels affect root system architectural traits. In conjunction with psychrometry I apply various experimental designs, such as split root systems and non-transpiring (high humidity) systems, to enable me to examine how water deficits effect the growth of individual portions of the root system while maintaining overall healthy plant growth. The goal of this work is to understand the developmental adaptions of root system growth under water-limited conditions and to use this insight to improve the production and survival of crops in water-stressed environments.

Posters/Presentations/Publications
  • Dowd TG, Braun DM, Sharp RE. Maize lateral root developmental plasticity induced by mild water stress. II. Genotype-specific spatio-temporal effects on determinate development. For Plant, Cell & Environment**
  • Dowd TG, Braun DM, Sharp RE (2019) Maize lateral root developmental plasticity induced by mild water stress. I. Genotypic variation across a high-resolution series of water potentials. Plant, Cell & Environment 42: 2259-2273
  • Dowd, T., Braun, D. M., & Sharp, R. E. (2017). Delayed Determinacy of Maize Lateral Roots Induced by Mild Water Deficit. 2nd Workshop on Plant Development and Drought Stress, Asilomar, California, USA. (talk)
  • Dowd, T., Braun, D. M., & Sharp, R. E. (2017). Delayed Determinacy of Maize Lateral Roots Induced by Mild Water Deficit. MU
    Interdisciplinary Plant Group. University of Missouri: MU Interdisciplinary Plant Group.
  • Dowd TG, Braun DM, Sharp RE. “Genotypic Variation in Lateral Root Growth between Maize Lines Experiencing Mild Water Deficits”. Midwest ASPB meeting, Danforth Center, St Louis, March 2015.
  • Dowd TG, Braun DM, Sharp RE. “Genotypic Variation in Lateral Root Growth between Maize Lines Experiencing Mild Water Deficits”. IPG Symposium, Univ. Missouri, May 2015.
  • Dowd T, Braun D, Sharp RE. “Genotypic Variation in Lateral Root Growth between Maize Lines Experiencing Mild Water Deficits”. 9th International Society of Root Research Meeting, Canberra, Australia, Oct. 2015