Franck Dayan
Nutrien Distinguished Scholar of Agricultural Sciences
Office: 116 Weed Research Lab
Lab: 101 Weed Research Lab
Email: franck.dayan@colostate.edu
Phone: 662.816.6214
Lab Website: Weed Science Lab
Research Interests
I joined the faculty of in January 2016 after a 20-year career as a research plant physiologist for the USDA-ARS. I am interested in functional plant genomics and my research program encompasses applied projects on herbicide mode of action and evolution of resistance in weeds to more basic projects aiming to use genomic approaches to decipher traits imparting weediness (competition, cold and heat stress tolerance etc…). I am also interested in the relative contribution of each of the 3 wheat genomes to specific pathways associated with primary metabolism. My expertise in plant biochemistry and physiology as well as chemical ecology complements the efforts already in place in other groups at Colorado State University.
Courses I Teach
Plant Biochemistry in Agriculture
This course is intended for graduate students in the plant sciences, such as botany, plant ecology, crop science, weed science or horticulture, but it is opened to other students with general interest in plants.
This course offers students an experiential learning environment leading to an appreciation of the role of plant biochemistry in agriculture. The structure and function of enzymes in metabolic pathways and the contributions of these pathways to plant growth and development will be covered. To that end, students will become proficient in basic modeling of proteins. When appropriate, topics are taught as problem-based situations related to plant production, stress responses, chemical ecology and the production of secondary metabolites of importance to mankind. Students will be able to critically read the scientific literature pertaining to plant biochemistry and metabolism.
Herbicide Selectivity and Action
This is a fully asynchronous online course co-taught be Dr. Dayan and Dr Gaines. It is intended for graduate students in the plant sciences, such as botany, plant ecology, crop science, weed science or horticulture, as well as students with general interest in plants. The course is also intended for working professionals in industry, government, and consulting positions with interest in herbicide use. This course will provide students with an experiential learning environment leading to mastery of how herbicides work and are used to manage weeds. To that end, students will become proficient in the mechanisms of action of herbicides and their effects on primary metabolic processes. Students will investigate controversial issues associated with the use of herbicides and genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops.
Graduate Students I Advise
Srishti Gupta – PhD in Agricultural Biology
Catherine Traxler– PhD in Agricultural Biology
Amber Pelon – MS in Agricultural Biology
Alyssa Twitty – MS in Agricultural Biology
Dustin Serrano – MS in Agricultural Biology
Past Graduate Students
Abigail Barker – PhD
Raven Bough – PhD
Hudson Takano – PhD
Mirella Farinelli Ortiz – PhD
Honors & Distinctions
2019 Colorado State University CAS Summit Team Research Award for Weed Science Team (Dayan, Gaines, Nissen, Westra), 2017 Molisch Award from the International Allelopathy Society, 2015 Outstanding Research Award from Weed Science Society of America, 2012 Senior Research Scientist of the Year (MSA) from USDA-ARS, 2006 Early Career Outstanding Scientist Award from the Weed Science Society of America, 2008 Grodzinsky Award from the International Allelopathy Congress, 2001 Early Career Research Scientist of the Year (MSA) from USDA-ARS.