Staff profile

Qualifications

Roger Parish took his first degree in Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne in 1964 and gained his Ph.D. in 1968. After a year at the CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry he moved to Switzerland, working at the Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich. He was appointed as Professor of Botany at La Trobe University in 1987.
Professor Parish has also filled administrative roles including Head of School, Dean, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Teaching areas

I teach in two first year subjects, covering gene regulation and some aspects of plant biotechnology. In the second year, I use two areas of cutting edge research to introduce students to the techniques and potential of plant molecular biology. I teach a large component of the third year Plant Biotechnology subject, which includes an introduction to scientific method and group projects carried out in the research laboratories under the supervision of Research Fellows and Post-Graduate students.
• BIO1OF - Organisation and Function of Cells.
• BOT2MPN - Plant Molecular Biology, Physiology and Nutrition.
• BOT1PS - Plant Science.
• BOT3PB - Plant Biotechnology.

Research interests

My main interests are in cell and molecular biology. We are studying the mechanisms underlying seed mucilage production and seed coat development.  We have identified anther-specific genes essential for pollen production and are studying the relevant regulatory pathways.  Our knowledge of anther development has resulted in a novel technology for hybrid seed production.

Recently we have commenced studying genes involved in protecting plants against cold and dehydration stress and the signalling pathways involved in the regulation of these genes.

Recent publications and presentations

• Parish, R.W. & Li, S.F. (2010) Death of a tapetum: A programme of developmental altruism. Plant Science, 178, 73-89.
• Li, S.F., Nicholau, O., Pham, H., Seyit, R., Napoli, R., Preston, J., Koltunow, A. and Parish, R.W. (2009) The Arabidopsis AtMYB5 gene regulates mucilage synthesis, seed coat development and trichome morphogenesis. Plant Cell, 21, 72-89.
• Filardo, F., Robertson, M., Singh, D.P., Parish, R.W. and Swain, S.M. (2009) Functional analysis of HvSPY, a negative regulator of GA response, in barley aleurone cells and Arabidopsis. Planta, 229, 523-537.
• Chung, S. and Parish, R.W. (2008) Combinatorial interactions of multiple cis-elements regulating the induction of the Arabidopsis XERO2 dehydrin gene by abscisic acid and cold. Plant J., 54, 15-29.
• Li, S.F., Iacuone, S. and Parish, R.W. (2007) Suppression and restoration of male fertility using a transcription factor. Plant Biotech. J., 5, 297-313.
• Lindhout, K., Treeby, M.T. and Parish, R. (2005) Chill out: chilling-related injuries in Navel Oranges. Acta Hort. 687, 77-84.
• Preston, J. Wheeler, J., Heazlewood, J., Li, S.F. and Parish, R.W. (2004) AtMYB32 is required for normal pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Journal, 40 (6), 979-995.
• Higginson, T., Li, S.F., and Parish, R.W. (2003) AtMYB103 regulates tapetum and trichome development in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Journal, 35 (2), 177-192.
• Gocal, G.F.W., Sheldon, C.C., Gubler, F., Moritz, T., Bagnall, D.J., MacMillan, C.P., Li, S.F., Parish, R.W., Dennis, E.S., Weigel, D., and King, R.W. (2001) GAMYB-like Genes, Flowering, and Gibberellin Signaling in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 127, 1682-1693.

View a full list of publications. (DOC 54KB)