Leading plant scientist at helm of Purdue botany and plant pathology
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Goldsbrough's appointment as head of the department is effective Monday (May 1). He leaves the Purdue Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture where he joined the faculty in 1986, becoming a full professor in 1997.
"I'm very honored and excited to return to the botany department," said Goldsbrough, a plant molecular biologist who came to West Lafayette from Scotland via England. "We have a wonderful faculty, and I want to maintain the department's strengths in teaching, research and outreach in plant and weed science and plant pathology."
Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, said Goldsbrough was an outstanding choice for the position.
"Peter has spent his career conducting significant, innovative research that can improve crops' abilities to withstand stresses, such as drought and harmful minerals in the soil," Woodson said. "He's also a wonderful and respected teacher who puts his students' needs at the forefront."
Goldsbrough said he plans to continue both research and teaching and wants to attract more students to botany and plant pathology.
"I really enjoy connecting with students and encouraging their creativity," he said. "We need to make students aware of the opportunities available in plant science."
In his research, Goldsbrough delves into how plants react to their environment and defend themselves against damaging chemicals and drought. He studies a family of enzymes involved in plants' abilities to provide protection against a variety of compounds, including herbicides.
He also studies how plants handle heavy metals that they acquire from the soil.
Goldsbrough earned his bachelor's degree at Edinburgh University in Scotland and his doctorate at the University of East Anglia in England. He also did graduate work at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, England.
After his postdoctoral work at Purdue, Goldsbrough was a visiting assistant professor in the horticulture department for two years before becoming a full-time faculty member in that department.
The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology includes 29 faculty members along with the Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratories. The lab identifies plants, insects and other pests and diagnoses plant diseases and pest problems for Purdue Extension educators, local and state agencies, private businesses, and the public.
Writer: Susan A. Steeves, (765) 496-7481, ssteeves@purdue.edu
Sources: Peter Goldsbrough, (765) 494-4615, goldsbrough@purdue.edu
Randy Woodson, (765) 494-8391, woodson@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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