Elizabete Carmo-Silva in a lab

Recent review highlights key new insights in Rubisco regulation to enhance crop productivity

RIPE researcher Elizabete Carmo-Silva and others have spent decades working on ways to better regular rubisco and improve its efficiency. The highlights of that research, including the knowns and key unknowns, were published in a recent review.

Steve Long speaking on a stage with the word TED behind him

In TED Talk, Long describes three changes to photosynthesis, each boosting crop yields 20% or more

The full recording of RIPE Director Steve Long’s TED Talk, “Can we hack photosynthesis to feed the world,” about how three changes to photosynthesis could help reduce food insecurity and the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is now available.

Collage of photos with Steve Long (left), Lisa Ainsworth (middle) and Tracy Lawson (right)

Three RIPE researchers recognized on 2023 ‘Highly Cited’ list

A trio of researchers for the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project have been named to the 2023 Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list. The list recognizes research scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated exceptional influence – reflected through their publication of multiple papers frequently cited by their peers during the last decade. RIPE’s Steve Long, Lisa Ainsworth, and Tracy Lawson were all selected to this year’s list.

Amanda Cavanagh (left) and Tracy Lawson standing back to back, wearing labcoats.

THE Awards shortlist - RIPE

The University of Essex nominated RIPE for the The Higher Education Awards: International Collaboration of the Year. On September 7th it was announced that RIPE made the shortlist of nominees, and would be featured as part of the awards ceremony in early December.

Steve Long in ceremonial robes

Long receives honorary doctorate from University of Essex

“I have been lucky enough to receive a few awards throughout my career, but none is more special to me than this.” - Steve Long during his commencement address to the summer class of 2023 from the University of Essex. Long was presented with an honorary doctorate as part of the ceremony.

Doug Allen (background) helps a fellow researcher (foreground) examine a plant with tiny leaves.

The underappreciated role of pods and siliques to developing seeds

Research overseen by RIPE's Doug Allen discovered that plant pods support seed development and higher yields, playing a significant role in photosynthesis. Their work was recently published in Science Advances.

PBS News Hour, Tipping Point, Agriculture on the Brink

PBS NewsHour special features ACES faculty and spaces

“Feeding the world has never been an easy job, but on a warming planet hurtling toward 10 billion inhabitants, the challenges are growing faster than the crops — agriculture is at a tipping point,” said PBS NewsHour host Miles O’Brien to kickoff a special “Tipping Point” Agriculture on the Brink” episode that features two RIPE researchers. 

Celebrating Plant Science Event Poster with a picture of Susanne von Caemmerer

RIPE researchers play big role in SEB Birthday Grant event

One hundred years of experimental biology, impactful research findings, innovative approaches, developmental workshops, and leadership in STEM has led to the SEB 2023 centenary conference. The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2023, and in April announced 10 recipients of the SEB 100th Anniversary Birthday Grant. Successful applicants were awarded £500 to plan a celebration event at their own institute. Amanda Cavanagh, RIPE team member and Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Essex, was a recipient of one of the birthday grants. She organized Celebrating Plant Science,  an early career researcher event on May 24, 2023 at Essex.

Victoria Kramer

IGB Profile: Victoria Kramer

A feature on the journey of RIPE Field and Greenhouse Technician Victoria Kramer, who was born at 34 weeks and has since been diagnosed with vision and speech issues, autism, and cerebral palsy.