Dept: Biological Sciences, Assistant Professor (non-tenure track)

Office/Lab: E202/311

Tel: 3031 (office), 3064 (lab)

e-mail: mkoniger@wellesley.edu

Degree: PhD, University of Würzburg, Germany

Teaching:

I have been mainly involved in teaching introductory organismal biology (lecture and lab) and a seminar in ecophysiology. In the past I have also taught labs in the upper level cell physiology course.

Area of Interest: Plant Ecophysiology

My research during the last few years has concentrated on investigating plant responses to various environmental stress conditions. I am particularly interested in the interactions between light and temperature stress and their effects on growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence, pigment composition (especially the xanthophyll cycle pigments) and protein turnover. Currently, I am investigating the short term mechanisms that help evergreen rhododendrons to cope with cold and heat stress. Experiments involve exposing leaves to different temperature and light conditions and studying their fluorescence characteristics which provide valuable information about the light reaction of photosynthesis and membrane fluidity. Inhibitors are frequently used to distinguish between several mechanisms that help plants to cope with these adverse conditions. We have some evidence that certain pigments can line up in the membrane and rapidly influence membrane fluidity (in a way similar to cholesterol in animals) and prevent leakage at high temperatures. We are currently investigating how these fluidity changes influence the stress tolerance of plants.

Another ongoing project focuses on herbivory and leaf damage in hibiscus plants. In particular I am investigating the effects of localized wounding on the behavior of the rest of the plant.

Student Projects:

A variety of projects are available to students, depending on their personal interests.

Maintained by: Marcy Thomas

Date Created: February 11, 1998

Last modified: November 17, 1998

Expires on: February 11, 1999