Ensminger Lab
Molecular Plant Physiology,
Global Change Biology & Photosynthesis
Department of Biology
University of Toronto Mississauga
Research on the Biology of Trees, Global Change & Photosynthesis
Our goal: To better understand tree responses to environmental change for productive and resilient forests – From molecular to leaf, species and ecosystem levels.
We investigate the physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms that control photosynthesis, growth and resilience of trees to changing environmental conditions
We are located in the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Areas of Research
See the list of current projects and find more details about our ongoing research
Environmental stress physiology of plants
How do plants adapt and acclimate to environmental change?
Tomorrows forests
How will heat, drought and pests impact tree growth in the future? Will warming increase the forest carbon sink?
Response of photosynthesis and carbon metabolism to low temperature
Research in conifers to understand low temperature acclimation and freezing resistance
Lab News
Showcasing Our Research in Germany: Anchalya Balasubramaniam at EPPC 2025
We are delighted that Anchalya Balasubramaniam presented her poster at the European Plant Phenomics Conference 2025 in Bonn (September 16–19). Her work, titled “Divergent Photoprotective Strategies in White Pine and White Spruce Under Moderate Drought,” showcases how these two conifers adopt distinct mechanisms to safeguard photosynthesis under water stress. This contribution highlights the innovative research from our team and underlines the importance of understanding species resilience…
From Climate Drivers to LiDAR: Ensminger Lab ROP Projects at Summer Research Day 2025
The Ensminger Lab was proud to see our ROP students present their research at Summer Research Day 2025. Aimun Malik – Investigating the Climatic Drivers of Tree Growth in White Spruce (Picea glauca) in Canada Tianqi Wang – Comparative Analysis of Xylem Anatomy in White Spruce (Picea glauca) Genotypes Under Drought Stress Adam Raway – The Role of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) in Aerial Individual Tree…
Celebrating Grace Cheng’s Winning Seminar Series T-Shirt Design
🏆 Congratulations to Grace Vera Cheng, Winner of the 2025–2026 Seminar Series T-Shirt Design Contest at UTM! We are proud to share that our M.Sc. student Grace Vera Cheng has won the 2025–2026 Seminar Series T-Shirt Design Contest! 🎉
Ensminger Lab at CSPB 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia 🌲🐋
From August 9–12, members of the Ensminger Lab travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to participate in the Canadian Society for Plant Biologists’ CSPB 2025 Conference. This annual meeting brings together plant scientists from across Canada and beyond to share cutting-edge research, network, and explore the latest advances in plant biology. Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax, provided a beautiful backdrop for the event, with…
Congratulations to Bridget K. Murphy on Her First First-Author Publication!
We’re excited to share that Bridget K. Murphy, PhD student in the Ensminger Lab, has just published her first first-authored paper in Plant Physiology! Her work, titled “Contrasting effects of warming and drought on autumn phenology of photosynthesis and growth in white spruce,” investigates how climate change-related stresses impact photosynthetic activity and growth timing in white spruce seedlings. 👏 Congrats, Bridget, on this important milestone in…
