Lecture on Dr. Marie Clark Taylor and Photomorphogenesis

Introduction

• Fascination with nature, such as the intricate veins in leaves.
• Curiosity about how plants know how to grow and develop.

Dr. Marie Clark Taylor

• Born in 1911 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania.
• Pursued education in botany at Howard University:
  • Bachelor's degree in 1933.
  • Master's degree in 1935.
• Taught high school biology and served in the Army Red Cross.
• Earned PhD in biology from Fordham University in 1943:
  • First woman to earn a PhD in science from Fordham.
  • First black woman with a PhD in botany.

Research Focus

• Studied photomorphogenesis:
  • How plant growth and flowering are affected by light exposure.
  • Investigated questions like the optimal light exposure for flowering.
• Photomorphogenesis:
  • "Photo" means light, "morpho" means shape, "genesis" means origin.
  • Plants have photoreceptors to detect light.
  • Process enables plants to grow efficiently by adapting to light conditions.

Plant Growth and Light

• Seedlings:
  • Photoreceptors help seedlings grow toward light.
  • Seeds grow long and thin without light to conserve energy.
  • With light, plants grow leaves and roots to utilize chlorophyll.
• Flowers:
  • Use photoreceptors to determine seasons by day length.
  • Dr. Taylor's work helped understand seasonal flowering.

Academic and Teaching Career

• Returned to Howard University in 1945 as assistant professor.
• Became head of the botany department (1947 - 1976):
  • Expanded department, mentored students, designed biology buildings, and oversaw greenhouse construction.
• Commitment to improving high school education:
  • Worked with the National Science Foundation.
  • Encouraged use of real biological materials in classrooms.

Legacy and Impact

• Contributions to botany education and high school science teaching.
• Acknowledged by President Johnson for her educational work.
• Legacy often overlooked; importance of recognizing her work.

Conclusion

• Her work enhances our understanding of plant growth and education.
• Encourages appreciation of natural resources and educational methods.
• Importance of acknowledging contributions of women of color in science.