Gary Loake.

Gary Loake, a professor of plant molecular sciences at the University of Edinburgh, shares his journey and passion for plant science. Growing up in a rural area, Loake developed a love for nature and biology, which led him to pursue a career in research. He transitioned from studying microbes to plants and has since focused on understanding and enhancing plant immunity. Loake is motivated by making new discoveries, solving problems, and mentoring students. He has also been involved in industry collaborations and founded a plant biotechnology company. Loake highlights the importance of role models in his career and mentions his favorite papers from the New Phytologist journal. He also shares his favorite plant, the horse chestnut tree, and discusses his work with the model plant Marchantia polymorpha. Unfortunately, the article notes that Loake passed away in March 2024. [Extracted from the article]