Paula M. Pijut, Plant Physiologist

USDA – Forest Service, Northern Research Station
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
715 West State Street
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2061
765-496-2162 (phone)
765-494-9461 (fax)
ppijut@fs.fed.us or ppijut@purdue.edu

Education:

Ph.D., Horticulture, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (1988)
M.S., Agriculture/Horticulture, Murray State University, Murray, KY (1984)
B.S., Medical Technology, Maryville College of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis, MO (1975)

Research plant physiologist with the USDA Forest Service since 1989,
with the HTIRC since July 2001.

Research Interests:

• woody plant tissue culture
• genetic modification
• clonal propagation

Broad interests in plant cell, tissue, and organ culture for tree improvement and production. Applied and fundamental research directed toward germ plasm improvement to increase resistance or tolerance to biotic or abiotic stressors. Emphasis on the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical bases for defense mechanisms to pathogen infection. Development of protocols for in vitro selection, somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, genetic transformation, clonal propagation, and induction of early flowering in forest tree species, with subsequent acclimatization of plant material to greenhouse and field environments. Current species of interest are black walnut, northern red oak, black cherry, butternut, white oak, red maple, sugar maple, white ash, and green ash.

Selected Publications

Pijut Graduate Students and Staff