Co-Founder and Managing Editor
kfarquharson@planteditors.com
ORCID ID: 000-0002-8032-0041

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, 2005.  University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dissertation: Monitoring the actin cytoskeleton and calcium dynamics in growing pollen tubes.
• M.Sc. in Genetics, 2000. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dissertation: Investigating the grapevine genome for a ribosome-inactivating protein.
• B.Sc. (Honors) in Genetics, 1997. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Cum laude.
• B.Sc. in Genetics and Biochemistry, 1996. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

EXPERIENCE

• Co-Founder and Managing Editor, Plant Editors. (2009-present). Edit manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific documents in the field of Plant Biology.
• Science Editor, The Plant Cell. (2007-present). Edit manuscripts with respect to presentation of scientific content, compliance with journal policies, and presentation for a broad readership. Write In Brief articles highlighting selected papers.
• Editor, BioEdit Ltd.  (2008-2010).  Proofread and edited manuscripts in the field of Cellular and Molecular Biology.
• Editor, ScienceDocs, Inc. (2009-2010). Proofread and edited manuscripts in the field of Plant Biology and Genetics.
• Part-time Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. (January, 2008-May, 2008). Taught Biological Perspectives Lab (non-majors).
• Full-time Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. (2005-2007). Taught Scientific Writing; Biological Perspectives (non-majors); Biological Perspectives Lab (non-majors); and Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab. Advised undergraduates. Reviewed textbook chapters for Thomson Learning and McGraw-Hill.
• Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.  (2001-2004).  Performed research in the laboratory of Dr. Peter K. Hepler. Studied various physiological aspects of pollen tube growth.
• Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.  (2000).  Tutored introductory-level Genetics course.
• Assistant at DNA Sequencing Facility, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. (1998). Administrative duties.
• Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. (1997-1998). Tutored senior-level Genetics course.

AWARDS

• Certificate of Appreciation for having a positive impact on first-year students at the University of Northern Colorado. 2008.
• Davis Delisle Research Grant.  2004; 2001.
• Gilgut Fellowship. For an outstanding student in the field of Plant Science.  2002.
• Stellenbosch 2000 Bursary. 1998.
• Foundation for Research and Development Bursary, South Africa.  1997.
• The Hofmeyr-Van Schaik Medal. For top honors student in Genetics. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. 1997.

PUBLICATIONS

Selected In Brief Reviews:

• Farquharson, KL. (2014). The fungus, the witches’ broom, and the chocolate tree: deciphering the molecular interplay between Moniliophthora perniciosa and Theobroma cacao. doi:10.1105/tpc114.133462.
• Farquharson, KL. (2014). POK marks the spot: kinesin-12 proteins are spatial markers of the site transiently occupied by the preprophase band. Plant Cell 26:2284.
• Farquharson, KL. (2014). SAUR19 links auxin and plasma membrane H+-ATPases in cell expansion. Plant Cell 26:1835.
• Farquharson, KL. (2014). En garde! Inhibition of an actin depolymerizing factor activates immune responses during plant-microbe interactions. Plant Cell 26: 3.
• Farquharson, KL. (2013). Out with the old: the fate of obsolete peroxisomes. Plant Cell 25: 4769.

Selected Press Releases:

• Farquharson, KL. (2014). Scientists seek cure for devastating witches’ broom disease of the chocolate tree.
• Farquharson, KL. (2012). Discovery may pave way to genetically enhanced biofuel crops. American Society of Plant Biologists.
• Farquharson, KL. (2011). Toward more cost-effective production of biofuels from plant lignocellulosic biomass. American Society of Plant Biologists.

Selected Journal Publications:

• Wilsen KL, Hepler PK. 2007. Sperm delivery in flowering plants: the control of pollen tube growth. Bioscience 57: 835-844.
• Wilsen KL, Lovy-Wheeler A, Voigt B, Kunkel JG, Menzel D, Hepler PK. 2006. Imaging the actin cytoskeleton in growing pollen tubes. Journal of Sexual Plant Reproduction 19: 51-62.
• Cárdenas L, Lovy-Wheeler A, Wilsen KL, Hepler PK. 2005. Actin polymerization promotes the reversal of streaming in the apex of pollen tubes. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 61: 112-27.