Leslie G. Hickok

Professor of Botany
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
lhickok@utk.edu
Homepage

Biographical Sketch:

Leslie G. Hickok is currently a professor in the Botany Department of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Dr. Hickok received his doctorate in botany from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he specialized in plant genetics and cytogenetics. Dr. Hickok has spent much of his career studying the homosporous fern Ceratopteris. His studies have ranged from basic investigations of genetics and evolution to studies of stress tolerance mechanisms and the development of Ceratopteris as a model research organism. In recent years, Dr. Hickok's interests have expanded into the area of pre-service teacher training and the development and implementation of Ceratopteris as a model plant for teaching. Many of the features that make Ceratopteris useful in research applications are also useful in the classroom. With support from the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education, selective breeding and strain development have resulted in the C-Fern line of genotypes and related educational materials. C-Fern can be used to illustrate a broad range of biological principles and allow inexpensive and effective implementation of classroom inquiry and independent research opportunities. Current emphasis is on the further development of C-Fern for the genetics curriculum, where it can provide unique opportunities for inquiry-based laboratories. Web resources and further information can be found at: C-FERN Homepage.

Workshop Presentations:

• The Future of Plant Biology
  PKAL 2000 Summer Institute
  Keystone Resort and Conference Center
  Keystone, Colorado
  July 23 - 26, 2000