Yan Lu

Dr. Yan Lu is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University.

Photosynthesis provides chemical energy for nearly all life forms on earth. The rising human population and increasing demand for food, fiber and fuel generate needs for higher photosynthetic efficiency in crop plants. The Lu Laboratory uses genetic, biochemical and physiological approaches to understand the regulation of photosynthetic complexes, as well as connections between photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. Dr. Lu also serves as the principal investigator of an NSF-funded Research Experiences for Teachers Sites in Biological Sciences (BIORETS) program at WMU. This program provides middle and high school science teachers in Southwest Michigan with authentic research experience and transformative curricular improvement and professional development opportunities.

Focused studies:

• Functions of chloroplast stromal chaperone proteins in chloroplast protein import and thylakoid membrane integration.
• Assembly and transfer of iron–sulfur clusters in chloroplasts and mitochondria.
• How plants respond to high light stress and environmental pollutants such as PFAS.

Funding:

• NSF (MCB-1244008, PI: Lu, Co-PI: Rob Last; 2013-2018)
• NSF (DBI-2146882, PI: Yan Lu, Co-PI: Silvia Rossbach; 2022-2025)
• WMU SFSA (2011-2012)
• WMU RDA (2012-2013)
• WMU FRACAA (2012-2013)
• WMU FRACAA (2016-2017)
• WMU FRACAA (2021-2022)

The Lu Laboratory:

• Theophilus Addo, M.S. student
• Glory James, M.S. student
• Ella VarnHagen, undergraduate student
• Jacob Waterlander, undergraduate student

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