Texas Tech University

Philippe Nicolas Named PSS Research Assistant Professor

Norman Martin

August 28, 2024

Philippe Nicolas

Philippe Nicolas, an international expert in plant molecular biology and genomics, has been named a research assistant professor within Texas Tech University’s Department of Plant & Soil Science, according to Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources officials. He officially stepped into his new post on Sept. 1.

“Focusing on improving sustainable agriculture through genetic crop improvement in the context of climate change is crucial and I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff at Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. I am very excited and dedicated to preparing students for careers in plant biology and the ag biotech sector,” Nicolas said.

As climate change is expected to lead to increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events, it will significantly impact crop yields, soil health, and overall agricultural productivity, necessitating adaptive strategies to ensure food security and sustainable farming practices, he said. In this context, genetic crop improvement is one of the most effective and sustainable approaches to achieving the necessary increases in agricultural output and ensuring global food security and safety.

Nicolas’ research and teaching specialization is in plant molecular biology, genomics and biotechnologies, and his research program primarily focuses on deciphering plant signaling pathways and the regulation of gene expression during development and in response to environmental stresses. His research program utilizes omics approaches (including genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) and functional genomics techniques (such as gene editing). His work aims to develop crop cultivars with enhanced resistance to environmental stress by harnessing existing natural genetic diversity.

Prior to joining Texas Tech faculty, Nicolas served as the head of the Translational Research Lab within the Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Department at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), an independent research institute affiliated with Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. His lab contributed to the development of technologies and expertise to enhance plant adaptation to environmental stress, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications.

Earlier, Nicolas worked as a research associate and postdoctoral research associate at the Boyce Thompson Institute, where he studied fruit functional genomics and biotechnology using tomatoes and its wild relatives as a model system. Nicolas also worked as a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Potsdam-Germany and the Center for Biological Research in Madrid-Spain, where he investigated the epigenetic regulation of plant responses to abiotic stress.

Nicolas received his bachelor’s degree in life sciences and master’s degree in physiology, cell and molecular biology from the University of Poitiers-France. In addition, he earned a second master's degree in plant development and genetics, and a doctorate in plant biology from the University of Bordeaux-France, specializing in grape functional genomics.

 

This story was first published in the Davis College NewsCenter. See the original article here.