Sharon Robinson

Research Interests

My main research focus is understanding how plants respond to Climate Change induced environmental stress in Antarctica (see Cool Plants below) and Australia (Plant Stress Ecophysiology). In addition I am interested in elucidating the mechanism that allows thermoregulatory plants to maintain their flowers at temperatures well above ambient air temperatures (Hot Plants). Plant responses can be monitored at a range of levels from the molecular to the ecological and my research encompasses all of these levels.

For potential research topics and information, see following pages:

Representative Publications

Clarke, L.J., Robinson, S.A. (2008) Cell wall-bound UV-screening pigments explain the high ultraviolet tolerance of the Antarctic moss, Ceratodon purpureus. New Phytologist 179 776-783.

Grant NM, Miller RE, Watling JR, Robinson SA (2008) Synchronicity of thermogenic activity, alternative pathway respiratory flux, AOX protein content and carbohydrates in receptacle tissues of sacred lotus during floral development. Journal of Experimental Botany 59 705-714.

Clarke, L.J., Robinson, S.A., Ayre, D.J. (2008) Somatic mutation and the Antarctic ozone hole Journal of Ecology 96 378-385. Editor’s choice article for March 2008.

Dunn, J.L. Robinson, S.A. (2006) UV-B screening potential is higher in two cosmopolitan moss species than in a co-occurring Antarctic endemic moss – implications of continuing ozone depletion. Global Change Biology 12 2282-2296.

Watling, J.R., Robinson, S.A. Seymour, R.S (2006) Contribution of the alternative pathway to respiration during thermogenesis in flowers of the sacred lotus. Plant Physiology 140, 1367-1373

Wasley, J., Robinson, S.A., Popp, M., Lovelock, C.E. (2006) Climate change manipulations show Antarctic flora is more strongly affected by elevated nutrients than water. Global Change Biology 12 1800-1812.

Robinson, S.A., Turnbull, J.D. Lovelock, C.E. (2005) Impact of changes in natural UV radiation on pigment composition, surface reflectance and photosynthetic function of the Antarctic moss, Grimmia antarctici. Global Change Biology 11, 476–489.

Current Students

Laurence Clarke (PhD)

Genetic variation in the cosmopolitan moss Ceratodon purpureus.

Nicole Grant (PhD)

Thermoregulation in the sacred lotus.

Johanna Turnbull 
(Masters Research)

DNA damage in Antarctic mosses

Mary Rosengren 
(Doctor of Creative Arts)

Honours

Melinda Waterman (BBiotech Hons)

Diana King (BEnv Sci Hons)

Suggested Topics for Future Students

Antarctic plants and global change

1. How are climate change and humans influencing terrestrial vegetation dynamics in Antarctica?

2. How does UV-B effect Antarctic mosses?
What UV screening compounds do they produce?

3. How do Antarctic plants survive desiccation? What compounds are involved?

4. Using remote sensing to map and monitor vegetation change on subAntarctic Islands (with University of Tasmania)

Hot plants

How do thermoregulating plants sense air temperatures and control their floral ovens?

What roles do the alternative oxidase and uncoupling proteins play in thermoregulating plants?


Abbreviated CV

Academic Degrees

1980-1983 B.Sc. First Class Honours (Genetics and Botany) University College London

1987-1990 PhD (Botany), University College London, Title of Thesis: Nitrogen metabolism in carrot cell suspension cultures.

Academic and Research Appointments

2005- Director Institute for Conservation Biology

2004- Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong.

2000- 2004 Senior Lecturer, Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong.

1996-1999 Lecturer, Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong.

1992-1996 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University.

1990-1991 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Duke University, North Carolina

1985-1986 Graduate Certificate in Science Education (Biology) Centre for Science Education, Kings College London

Last reviewed: 10 October, 2008