Stephen Cessna

Steve received his BA in chemistry and biochemistry in Colorado and then taught middle school math and science in Lesotho in southern Africa, with the Mennonite Central Committee, a relief and development organization of the Mennonite Churches. After returning to the US, getting married, and moving to Indiana, Steve eventually finished a PhD degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His graduate research included genetically altering tobacco plants so that they express a gene from a bioluminescent jellyfish. Cellular calcium concentrations could then be easily measured in these ‘glow-in-the-dark’ plants. Steve has continued that research project with EMU students, and has presented his work with EMU students at several regional and national scientific meetings, and has published that work with EMU student co-authors. Steve teaches biochemistry, chemistry, and botany courses, and oversees the biology and chemistry departments. He worked on a USDA-funded sabbatical research project for the ‘07-’08 academic year, studying plant responses to stress at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Purdue University
B.A. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder

• Bolduc N, Lamb GN, Cessna SG, Brisson LF, (2007). Modulation of Bax Inhibitor-1 and calcium homeostasis by cytokinins in Nicotiana tabacum cells. Biochimie 89, 961
• Cessna SG, Matsumoto TK, Lamb GN, Rice SJ, Hochstedler WW, (2007). The externally-derived portion of the hyperosmotic shock-activated cytosolic calcium pulse mediates adaptation to ionic stress in suspension-cultured tobacco cells. The Journal of Plant Physiology 164, 815-823

• “Acquisition of Instrumentation to Support Integrated Research and Teaching in Interdisciplinary Environmental Plant Biology”—A National Science Foundation – Major Research Instrumentation grant for $103,130 (pending – announcement due 7/08)
• “A sabbatical to investigate the relationships of protective measures against excess light, antioxidants, defense signals, and drought stress in plants” – A United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative, Agricultural Research Enhancement Award. $67,000 5/07
• “LEEF for EMU” – A grant from LiCor, manufacturers of instrumentation for plant/crop assessment. $25,000 3/07 and 1/08

• American Society for Plant Biology
• Council on Undergraduate Research