Plant scientist awarded Massalski research prize

Published On Thu 3 May 2018 by Grant Hill

A plant scientist from the University of Dundee has been awarded the prestigious Peter Massalski Prize for Meritorious Research for 2018.

Dr Cristiane Calixto is a post-doctoral researcher in the Plant Sciences Division of the University’s School of Life Sciences, based at the James Hutton Institute. Her work focuses on understanding how plant gene expression is regulated, and on using molecular and computational approaches to analyse crop stress responses.

Building on the partnership between the University and the James Hutton Institute, her research provides new insights into the biology of plant and crop stress.

Dr Calixto said, “I am very pleased and grateful to be awarded the very prestigious Peter Massalski Prize. It has been a great learning experience to work in the Plant Sciences Division and the James Hutton Institute.

“I feel privileged to have been part of a great team of dynamic scientists and I will take this experience into my future career. I wish to thank all colleagues who have guided me and worked with me over a number of years, particularly Professor John Brown and Dr Runxuan Zhang.”

The Peter Massalski Prize is administered by the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) and awarded through the generosity of Professor and the late Mrs T B Massalski, in memory of their son, Dr Peter R Massalski, who was a member of staff at the former Scottish Crop Research Institute.

The prize is awarded biennially to a scientist under 36 years old, who is considered to have undertaken the most meritorious research whilst working for or with the James Hutton Institute, from any discipline and anywhere in the organisation. It takes the form of a special certificate accompanied by a monetary award.

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