Rate My Professor Malcolm Bennett

Bennett's research centers on the 'hidden half' of plants, investigating root growth, development, and adaptation to soil environments. His laboratory has identified critical mechanisms such as the auxin influx carrier AUX1 regulating root gravitropism, published as 'Arabidopsis AUX1 gene: a permease-like regulator of root gravitropism' in 1996, and processes like hydrotropism and hydropatterning directing roots toward water sources. He established the Hounsfield Facility in 2014, a pioneering platform using X-ray microCT imaging, robotics, and deep learning to phenotype roots non-invasively in soil, uncovering traits for enhanced water and nutrient efficiency. This work translates to re-engineering root architecture in crops including wheat, rice, and pearl millet to bolster yields amid climate challenges. Among his influential publications are 'Auxin transport promotes Arabidopsis lateral root initiation' (2001) and 'Regulation of phyllotaxis by polar auxin transport' (2003). Bennett's contributions have earned him Fellowship of the Royal Society, EMBO membership, and a Wolfson Research Fellowship, positioning him among the most highly cited plant scientists.