Academic Background

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, 1986
• B.S. in Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford CA, 1980
• B.S. in Biology, Stanford University, Stanford CA, 1980

Research Interest and Current Efforts

My research has touched on a broad range of topics in plant and fungal biology, biotechnological approaches to solving problems in agriculture and forestry, and the use of genomic approaches for understanding biological processes, including wood formation and the response of trees to biotic and abiotic stress.  For example, my research team pursued studies of fungal cellulases and xylanases for use in upgrading plant fibers for the pulp and paper and textile industries, characterization of the roles of plant and fungal laccases in lignin formation and biodegradation, and transcriptome responses in the wood-forming tissues of loblolly pine producing compression wood.

At UGA Griffin my responsibilities include leadership for the UGA Experiment Station, which was one of the first research farms established in the US after passage of the Hatch Act. As an Assistant Dean in CAES, I am responsible for oversight of the academic programs offered by the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences on the Griffin campus, and similarly, as Assistant Provost, I oversee academic programs offered on campus by the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Terry College of Business, as well as the Mary Frances Early College of Education.

Meet the Campus Director

More information about Dr. Dean