This April, the Zerbe lab attended the 2026 Bay Area Plant Hub, a symposium held in collaboration with American Society of Plant Biologists. Postdoctoral researcher Farida Yasmin presented her research on the diterpenoid pathway network in millet, a nutrient-rich and drought-tolerant staple crop eaten widely in Africa and Asia.
Congratulations to PhD candidate Alex Gueorguieva for receiving the Elsie Taylor Stocking Fellowship in Plant Physiology for her exceptional achievements in research. In addition to funding her future research, this award grants Alex with the opportunity to present her work at the Annual Celebration of Plant Biology.
Congratulations to PhD candidate Gabrielle Wyatt for receiving the Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Award for her outstanding research accomplishments and significant potential for further contributions in a faculty career. By studying the diterpenoid diversity and biosynthesis of the bioenergy crop switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), she hopes to improve sustainability in agriculture. “This fellowship is going to help me transition to the next stage of my career,” said Wyatt.
Through student-led lab tours, the Zerbe lab and BioInnovation Group (BIG) have collaborated to make research more accessible to UC Davis students. The BIG program trains undergraduates in fundamental lab techniques to prepare them for future careers in research. The group’s series of lab tours has helped students to explore the wide breadth of opportunities available on campus.
ChemTalk (chemistrytalk.org) is a brand-new non-profit, whose mission is to make chemistry more fun, easier to learn, and more accessible to people around the world - in the safest manner possible and also to be perceived in a more positive way. On our podcast, we interview chemists, scientists, and educators from across the globe who show the many career paths that involve chemistry, and how a love for chemistry can manifest itself in many unique
This conversation explores the intersection of natural products and synthetic biology, emphasizing the importance of science communication and outreach. Julia Ball shares her passion for connecting the public with plant science, while Dr. Philip Zerbe discusses the potential of synthetic biology in producing valuable natural products, particularly terpenoids. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating the public about biotechnology and the role of synthetic biology in sustainable drug production. In this conversation, Dr.
Each year, nearly 30 million Americans purchase a real tree for the holidays. Growing the perfect Christmas tree takes about seven years, during which farmers need to keep insects, fungal pathogens and hungry deer at bay. While researchers suspect the distinctive piney smell the trees emit plays a role in deterring these pests, not all trees smell the same, and which chemical blends confer resistance is unclear.
Welcome to Tree of Life UC Davis! In this episode, we interview Philipp Zerbe, professor in the Department of Plant Biology at UC Davis. We discuss his history and interests in plant biology.
