Plant biology professor Tracy Lawson, plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee Govindjee, and the late plant biology emeritus professor Stephen P. Long were all ranked among the top seven highly-ranked scholars in photosynthesis research over the past five years, according to the latest ScholarGPS listings for photosynthesis scholars. Their inclusion reflects decades of influential work advancing understanding of how plants convert light into chemical energy and how photosynthesis can be improved for food security and sustainability.
Lawson, known for her work on stomatal regulation and photosynthetic efficiency, continues to be a leading voice in plant science. Govindjee, celebrated globally for his foundational contributions to oxygenic photosynthesis and its biophysical mechanisms, remains highly respected in the field. Long, who passed away in 2025 and was widely recognized for pioneering research on engineering photosynthesis to boost crop yields, also secured a top-rank position among his peers. Their combined achievements underscore the School of Integrative Biology's significant impact on photosynthesis research.