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
Bridget Murphy Wins OSPA Award at AGU 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Bridget Murphy has been awarded the Outstanding Student Presentation Award (OSPA) at the AGU 2024 conference for their exceptional poster presentation, “Contrasting Phenotypic Plasticity of Photosynthesis and Xylem Architecture in Response to Summer Warming and Drought in a Slow-Growing and Fast-Growing Family of Field-Grown White Spruce.”Bridget’s work was recognized with the Forest Ecophysiology Outstanding…
Siyu and Bridget Present Their Research at AGU 2024 in Washington, D.C.
From December 9-13, 2024, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting took place in Washington, D.C., bringing together over 25,000 Earth and space scientists to explore this year’s theme, “What’s Next for Science.” Representing the Ensminger Lab, Siyu and Bridget presented their research on white spruce (Picea glauca) responses to environmental changes. Siyu’s study, “Disentangling the Differences Between Canopy and…
Tree Anatomy Reveals Secrets
In this image, Bridget is meticulously preparing semi-thin sections of White Spruce using the parafilm method. She carefully produces cuts of 15 µm in thickness to closely examine the xylem anatomy. Her analysis of the growth rings will reveals potential differences in tree structure that depend on both environmental factors and genetic predisposition.
White Pine Under the Spectral Lens
Siyu is measuring leaf spectral reflectance in white pine. Leaf spectral reflectance refers to the amount of light reflected by a leaf at different wavelengths across the visible and infrared spectrum. This technique helps assess plant health, photosynthetic efficiency, and water status by detecting subtle changes in leaf properties. Siyu and Ivory are grinding white pine samples collected from the…
Unraveling Climate Defenses: Drought, Photoprotection, and Resilience in White Spruce and White Pine
Last summer, Anchalya, Olivia, and Maria took on a bold challenge in the UTM research greenhouse—simulating drier climates to test the resilience of white spruce and white pine, two vital conifer species. Their mission? To uncover how these trees defend themselves against climate stress using sustained non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), a powerful photo-protective mechanism. By exposing seedlings to controlled drought conditions,…
