Teresa B. Fitzpatrick

New PhytologistVolume 231, Issue 2 p. 537-539 ProfileFree Access Teresa B. Fitzpatrick First published: 15 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17439AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link a this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL What inspired interest in plant science? I always been interested mechanistic basis behind natural phenomena. This may stemmed from growing up countryside being lucky enough observe certain behaviours on daily rural environment. In addition, my primary school teachers were very motivational encouraged us notice surroundings, breeding curiosity learn more. hope continue every day. was both fauna flora graduated more towards science along life path. trained as biochemist did not begin research career but rather medical sciences. Nonetheless, now am mostly fascinated by biological mechanisms plants use perceive respond their thrive learning molecular response plants, which are sessile constantly challenged other organisms, well elements. Observing molecule action its potential effect morphology or an environmental challenge is constant source inspiration. Why you decide pursue research? Being able (or maybe better word here) something new, describe it, means potentially unravel observation at level main driving parameter research. really enjoy(ed) working bench excitement that comes discovering outcome particular experiment – whether it works not. brings range emotions frustration elation, all round make for good balanced mix overall enjoyment satisfaction. also enjoy techniques. At outset, tried much available me sciences become proficient those practice. Once firm understanding how works, becomes enjoyable think laterally possibly apply technique different way develop further perhaps come new With like that, we can about observations answer ‘why?’ questions tangible fashion moreover, techniques address question trying answer. Having possibility do these aspects cemented decision keeping work others engaging discussions phenomena perspective actually problem driver only pursuing remaining motivates day-to-day basis? what strong motivation. role Professor university, teach, From teaching perspective, interact students beginning Bachelor degree, through PhD beyond, observing ways thinking enriching process. Following progress development regards critical helping them independent own (scientific) careers research, reading they process, be used thinking. Sometimes, inspirational. How people narrate scientific discoveries aspirational, know communication crucial. Who most important mentors consider anyone models? recently Barbara McClintock book ‘A feeling organism’. As mind, find her model based belief herself despite adversary. She stayed true beliefs achieving success end. dedicated completely unrelenting sacrifices made. More directly, each acted models way, having instilled rigor method allowing creative freedom confidence explore one’s ideas. had who styles taught things. Starting undergraduate days Ireland, final year advisor Maura Beary enquiry foundations developed graduate years Paul Malthouse, importance rigor, discipline tools write manner. My move Switzerland post-doc brought mentor Nikolaus Amrhein, fountain knowledge catalysed into science. He took chance opened world biochemistry physiology, while honing skills making judgements goals. teaching, he so adept inspiring students. altruistic his time education Swiss National Science Foundation. lot colleagues collaborators would emphasize international collaborations inform bring perspectives topic. favourite Phytologist papers recent years, why? spans broad sciences, there many choose from, interesting within niche. especially physiology offer insight. For example, fan Helliwell et al. (2021) unravelling calcium osmotic stress sensing diatoms. drawn wealth appearing lately influence microbes processes. fascinating topic gaining momentum. One sticks mind Howard (2020): here authors advantage plot United States examine microbiome herbivore resistance over 15-year period. case, choice influenced evolving microbiota idea put forward rapidly changing soil drive evolution. usually follow articles linking metabolic pathway elucidation possible application engineering approaches example report Liu (2020), context dynamic plasticity oxidosqualene synthases implication combinatorial arrays gene clusters biosynthesis select secondary metabolites (specialized metabolites). Forum section Tansley reviews insights provide platform ideas, wonderful pieces illustrate concepts food thought. Here plug written myself assistance colleague Zeenat Noordally (Fitzpatrick & Noordally, 2021), where concept coenzymes (organic chemicals essential enzyme function, B vitamins) may, fact, regulators space enzymes dependent them. We argue coenzyme homeostasis integrated and, turn, control circadian clock. plant, lots reasons. Flowering colours, among favourites Passiflora. unassuming bud bursts open showy display reveal flower organ almost educational panel coloured illustrative structures (Fig. 1a). They treasure trove chemicals. all-time probably tree ferns equally passion flowers displayed monochrome size trees 1b). get see much, living Switzerland, when real treat. love architecture simplicity repetitiveness, uncurling fronds grow, large plume leaves. rhizome does creep ground rises above standing erect trunk top crown pinnate Fig. 1Open figure viewerPowerPoint Photograph (a) Passiflora caerulea (passion flower) (b) Dicksonia antartica (tree fern) Box studies University College Dublin (Ireland) finishing 1998, followed short fellowship Imperial Cancer Research Fund laboratories Clare Hall, London (now part UK). then Federal Institute Technology Zurich (ETHZ, 1998–2002), after she became group leader there, projects vitamin metabolism. 2008, awarded Foundation professorship pursued moved Geneva tenured Associate 2009 Full Professorship 2015. Director Plant Biology Department 2012 2017. The laboratory focuses metabolism processes general Teresa’s addresses specifically alteration affects responses. Recently, has association Her involves applied particularly relation enhancing nutritional content crop (biofortification) bid alleviate some deficiencies encountered populations rely sustenance diet. A multi-disciplinary chemical form programme, include cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, protein chemistry selected biophysical joined Editor 2020. information Teresa, visit http://www.unige.ch/fitzpatricklab/ email [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0001-7694-5631 References TB, Z. 2021. Of clocks plants: intimately connected cycles guiding central metabolism? 230: 416– 432. KE, Kleiner FH, Hardstaff H, Chrachri A, Gaikwad T, Salmon D, Smirnoff N, Wheeler GL, Brownlee C. Spatiotemporal patterns intracellular Ca2+ signalling govern hypo-osmotic resilience marine 155– 170. MM, Kao-Kniffin J, Kessler A. Shifts plant–microbe interactions community succession effects herbivores. 226: 1144– 1157. Z, Suarez Duran HG, Harnvanichvech Y, Stephenson MJ, Schranz ME, Nelson Medema MH, Osbourn Drivers diversification: genome neighbourhoods generate biosynthetic pathways Brassicaceae. 227: 1109– 1123. Volume231, Issue2July 2021Pages FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation