Dr. Johanna Morrow

Current Position

• Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science

Education

• Ph. D., 2018, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
• MHA, 2006, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
• BA, 1999, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri

Professional Interests

Dr. Morrow’s area of study includes cellular and molecular biology along with plant genetics. Her interests are focused on how plants perceive and respond to environmental cues, specifically light. Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, previous work focused on identifying mechanisms of the plant response, phototropism, how plants bend towards or away from a light source. More recently she has characterized plants with mutations in this response along with other light or tropic responses in plants with students in Research Methods! Additional student research projects have focused on metabolite and enzyme isolation.

More recently she has pursued pedagogical research based on an interdisciplinary approach to service learning and has been active in planning Westminster’s Steam Night, an opportunity for Westminster students to teach STEAM concepts to elementary students through a hands-on learning experience.

Other Positions - Current

• Advisor for Garden Club and Greenhouse liaison
• Committee Appointments: Curriculum Committee, Hancock Symposium Committee, WATT (Westminster Advisory Technology Team), Honors Program Advisory Committee

Background

2018 was Dr. Morrow’s first year at Westminster College. Since then, she regularly teaches courses such as Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, Research Methods, and Biological Processes. When not enjoying Westminster College events, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her husband and three dogs, Bonnie, Josey, and Winston.

Select Publications

• Fichman, Y., Xiong, H., Sengupta, S., Morrow, J., Loog, H., Azad, R.K., Hibberd, J.M., Liscum, E. and Mittler, R. (2023), Phytochrome B regulates reactive oxygen signaling during abiotic and biotic stress in plants. New Phytologist, 237: 1711-1727
• Morrow, J., Willenberg, K., Liscum, E. (2018). Phototropism in land plants: Molecules and Mechanisms from Light Perception to Response. Frontiers in Biology, 13(5): 342-357.
• Liscum, E., Askinose, S., Leuchtman, D., Morrow, J., Willenberg, K., Roberts Coats, D. (2013). Phototropism: Growing Towards an Understanding of Plant Movement. The Plant Cell, 26: 38-55.
• Roberts, D., Pedmale, U.V., Morrow, J., Sachdev, S., Lechner, E., Tang, X., Zheng, N., Hannink, M., Genschik, P., and Liscum, E. (2011). Modulation of Phototropic Responsiveness in Arabidopsis through Ubiquitination of Phototropin 1 by the CUL3-Ring E3 Ubiquitin Ligase CRL3NPH3. The Plant Cell, 23: 3627-3640.