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THE LU LAB

Photosynthesis provides chemical energy for nearly all life forms on Earth. The rising human population and increasing demand for food, fiber, and fuel generate needs for higher photosynthetic efficiency in crop plants. The Lu Laboratory uses genetic, genomic, biochemical, and physiological approaches to understand photosynthesis, photosynthetic complexes, and how plants interact with their environments.

Focused Studies:

  • Functions of chloroplast stromal chaperone proteins in chloroplast protein import and thylakoid membrane integration.

  • Assembly and transfer of iron-sulfur clusters in chloroplasts and mitochondria.

  • How plants respond to high light stress and environmental pollutants such as PFOS.

  • Survey and DNA barcoding of terrestrial invasive plant species in Southwest Michigan.

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Community Outreach:

Dr. Lu serves as the principal investigator of an NSF-funded Research Experiences for Teachers Sites in Biological Sciences (BIORETS) program at WMU. This program provides middle and high school science teachers in Southwest Michigan with authentic research experience and transformative curricular improvement and professional development opportunities.

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Dr. Lu is also one of the seven Michigan scientists featured in the Kalamazoo Science Communication Outreach Project in Summer 2024. With this project, we hope to bring families together and nature to children! The Kickoff Party of this project will take place at Children's Nature Playscape (Bronson Park) on June 1, 2024!

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Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation (MCB-1244008; PI: Yan Lu; Co-PI: Rob Last; 2013-2018)

  • National Science Foundation (DBI-2146882; PI: Yan Lu; Co-PI: Silvia Rossbach; 2022-2025)

  • Department of Education (P116Z220105; PI: James Burns; Co-PIs: Todd Barkman, Devin Bloom, Yan Lu; 2022-2025)

  • WMU Support for Faculty Scholars Award (PI: Yan Lu; 2011-2012)

  • WMU Research Development Award (PI: Yan Lu; 2012-2013)

  • WMU Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (W2012-001, PI: Yan Lu; 2012-2013)

  • WMU Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (W2016-023, PI: Yan Lu; 2016-2017)

  • WMU Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (1627, PI: Yan Lu; 2021-2022)

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The Lu Laboratory:

  • Theophilus Addo, M.S. student

  • Glory James, M.S. student

  • Ella G. Varn Hagen, undergraduate student

  • Jacob Waterlander, undergraduate student

 

Institutional Web Page about the Lu Lab

 

Google Scholar Profile of Dr. Yan Lu

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