Expert: John Locke - 5/4/2007

Question
Hi,
I'm doing a HUGE project on gravitropism. I am supposed to have a human resource. No one knows about this subject around here. I was wondering if you could help me out.
Thank You

Answer
Mallory, thank you for using AllExperts and I'll try to answer your question.

First, let me say that I do not think that I am an appropriate resource for you to use as a reference. While I am generally familiar with biology, especially animal physiology, I am not expert in plant biology of any form. That said, I don't intend to leave you without any help; I will offer some suggestions of people whom you may contact. These sources are all university-related--since your project is very big, as you say, it would be best for you to reference an expert in the field, or at least someone who can direct you to an expert in the field.

On a related note, when you contact these sources, don't be surprised if many of them say that they can't help you or don't respond at all. Researchers are busy people, and their refusal or nonresponse should not be taken as hostility, but a reflection of their busyness.

The following are some sources for you to try, either as direct references or as a starting point to find others in the field. You'll note that they're all affiliated with Penn State University; that is my alma mater and I feel most comfortable in recommending them, as I have actually met many of these people or read directly about their research:

Dr. Sarah Assman, Penn State University, sma3@psu.edu
Dr. Daniel Cosgrove, PSU, dcosgrove@psu.edu
Dr. Simon Gilroy, PSU, sxg12@psu.edu
Dr. Nina Federoff, PSU, nvf1@psu.edu
Dr. Paula McSteen, PSU, pcm11@psu.edu

I wish you the best of luck.