Samuel Hazen

My research focuses on understanding how plants regulate growth and development in response to environmental signals, including temperature, mechanical stimulation, and interactions with beneficial microbes. We investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying these responses, with particular emphasis on gene regulation, secondary cell wall biosynthesis, and plant biomechanics. Using grasses, we combine genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and imaging to understand how plants integrate environmental information to control growth, development, and structural integrity.