Steve Strauss.

Dr. Steven H. Strauss, a University Distinguished Professor of Forest Biotechnology at Oregon State University, discusses his interest in plant science and his motivation to pursue a career in research. He credits his mentors during his PhD at the University of California at Berkeley for being his role models. Dr. Strauss highlights some of his favorite papers from the New Phytologist journal, including one on the genetic variation in amenability to genetic transformation and regeneration, another on the determination of crown phenology in quaking aspen, and a third on lignin modification in poplar. He also expresses his fondness for poplars, especially aspens and cottonwoods, due to their beauty and amenability to biotech methods. [Extracted from the article]