Plant-Climate Interaction Lab Symposium
In July, the Plant-Climate Interaction Lab hosted a highly successful Research Symposium, where lab members presented their current research, shared insights, and discussed future directions. The event offered a platform for both students and faculty to engage in fruitful discussions and celebrate the diversity of research in the lab.
Jennifer McElwain kicked off the symposium with an overview of the lab’s main goals and past and current research. Her talk set the stage for the day and was especially informative for the internship students attending.
Dr Miriam Slodownik presented updates on her work with the Witness Tree Project, discussing recent fieldwork and future directions. Miriam also shared exciting news about her upcoming role as an MSCA Fellow and the new position to be advertised for the Witness Tree project.
Charlotte Salter-Townshend shared her research on air pollution mitigation and tree diversity, delving into the question of which species in the Witness Tree Project are most effective at capturing particulate matter. She also discussed the methods she uses, including SEM image analysis and various plant measurement techniques.
Ellen Colligan, a student intern, presented her summer research focusing on pollution trends in Dublin City. She highlighted the data she collected on stomatal conductance, particulate matter, and water use efficiency, offering valuable insights for future climate policy.
Ciaran Farrell, a 3rd Year Botany Undergraduate, alongside Ríona McDonnell, reflected on their experience with the Cathcart Schuler Internship in Conservation Horticulture at the TCD Botanic Gardens. Their work involved garden maintenance, public engagement, and participation in various projects, including the Witness Tree Project.
Dr Ailbhe Brazel presented her work on molecular mechanisms in plants, detailing her contributions to the Witness Tree Project and her ongoing research on epigenetic mechanisms of hypoxia in plants. Ailbhe also shared updates on collaborative work with Dr Kamila Kwasniewska on plant evolution markers.
Muhammad Siddiq introduced his PlantChem Project, which investigates how the rise in atmospheric CO₂ influences the elemental composition of plants. His talk focused on understanding the broader implications of atmospheric changes on plant chemistry.
Antonietta Knetge, though unable to attend in person, shared a video update on her research involving the Greenland fossil collection and her work on plant halotolerance in Cretaceous conifers. The results of her study will soon be published.
Catarina Barbosa presented her research on how counting methods influence the interpretation of plant paleoecological data. She discussed the analytical techniques she used, such as Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling with Bray-Curtis Distance, to differentiate plant material from fossilized specimens.
Dr William Mattheaous provided updates from his recent trip to the US, where he hosted the Cell to Ecosystems Summer Course 2025. He also discussed his presentation at the Life and Planet 2025 conference, focusing on leaf decomposition and weathering potential as part of the Terraform project.
Dr Blanka Kovacs introduced an innovative weathering experiment to be conducted at the National Botanic Gardens, using volcanic ash and tea bags to study environmental processes. Her upcoming research is set to contribute significantly to the Terraform project.
Dr Christos Chondrogiannis and Robin Noble presented their ongoing evolutionary experiment in the TTEC, VAL Lab. They shared preliminary results and discussed the physiological measurements they are using to explore plant evolution under different conditions.
The symposium was a great success, offering a glimpse into the exciting research happening in the lab. Stay tuned for further updates as these projects continue to unfold.
