Biography:Allan Green (botanist)

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Short description: New Zealand lichenologist
Allan Green

Born
Thomas George Allan Green

United Kingdom
NationalityNew Zealand
Alma materUniversity of Oxford
AwardsAcharius Medal
Scientific career
FieldsLichenology
InstitutionsBotanical Research Institute of Texas
ThesisThe biology of lichen symbionts (1970)
Doctoral advisorsDavid Cecil Smith

Thomas George Allan Green NZAM is a lichenologist, terrestrial ecologist and botanist. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. His work particularly studies how lichens respond to extreme low temperatures and dryness, and especially how this affects photosynthesis. He has studied the ecology of Antarctica.

Early life and education

Green was born in the United Kingdom and studied lichens for his PhD at University of Oxford that was awarded in 1970. His supervisor was David Cecil Smith.[1][2]

Career

Green moved to University of Waikato in 1974, and has continued to work there throughout his career. By 2022 he held an emeritus professor position. He has long-standing collaborations in Spain and Germany, and he also works with scientists at research stations in Antarctica. His research focuses on the physiology of lichens and especially how they respond to their environment, particularly extreme dry and cold environments. He has made extensive studies of the lichens that live in the Antarctic as well as those living in alpine and arid regions. One of the partners in a lichen symbiosis is always a phototroph and his research has provided insight into the process and control of carbon dioxide fixation in lichens, especially in relation to the water content of the lichen.[2]

Honours and awards

In 2012, Green was awarded the DSc degree from University of Oxford. In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded the New Zealand Antarctic Medal, for services to Antarctic research.[3] In 2016, he was awarded the Acharius Medal from the International Association for Lichenology for his lifetime contribution to lichenology.[2]

Publications

Green is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications, books and book chapters and many more conference papers. Some of the most significant are:

References

  1. Green, T G A; Smith, D C (1974). "Lichen physiology 14. Differences between lichen algae in symbiosis and in isolation". New Phytologist 73 (4): 753–766. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1974.tb01303.x. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Acharius Medallists Thomas George Allan Green". http://www.lichenology.org/Awards/Acharius_Green.html. 
  3. "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2013". https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2013.