
Quentin Herzig
I am a first-year PhD student in the NWB cohort. Prior to starting my PhD, I completed my undergraduate degree in Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I completed research on in-vivo directed evolution, genetic data visualization, and photosynthetic engineering. I enjoy exploring the connections between science, design, and culture, and how they may affect the application of research in “real-world” scenarios. Outside of my research, I love to hike, skateboard, and stay informed on global injustices and conflicts.
My PhD project focuses on recreating the C2 photosynthesis trait in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana via genetic modification. C2 photosynthesis is a rare, naturally occurring evolutionary adaptation that improves tolerance to warm and dry conditions in plants. If C2 photosynthesis can be transferred to a model plant, this will pave the way for engineering the trait into crops. As global temperatures and droughts worsen in key agronomic areas, this work could provide a pragmatic method for improving crop productivity. I am also focusing on the translational aspects of photosynthesis engineering technology, as any research outputs will be irrelevant to food production if they cannot be translated from the lab to real-world food production environments.