Elizabeth Van Volkenburgh

Elizabeth (Liz) Van Volkenburgh is Professor Emerita of Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle and founding member and President of the Society for Plant Signaling and Behavior. Her research focused on how leaves grow, ranging from the molecular basis for light-induced leaf cell expansion to the adaptive value of leaf teeth and the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in beans. Liz received her BS in botany from Duke University and her PhD in plant physiology from the University of Washington.  Her work has included colleagues from many countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Germany, the Czech Republic, Colombia, and the Federated States of Micronesia.  Curiosity and awe around how plants do what they do inspire her best when interacting with learners at all levels.