Cynthia Ross Friedman, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Box 3010, 900 McGill Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3 Office: S348 (Science) phone: (250) 828-5424 fax: (250) 828-5450 (attn. C. Ross) e-mail: cross@tru.ca <>

RESEARCH

My primary research is in the area of plant anatomy, where I study the reproductive development of the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum,a parasitic flowering plant belonging to the Viscaceae, the same family as the Christmas Mistletoe.  All mistletoes are parasites, and in the interior of  B.C., A. americanum parasitizes lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia).   Mistletoes derive all of their water and mineral nutrients from their host.  Dwarf mistletoes, however, also derive some sugars from their host. A. americanum inflicts disease on the host pines, stunting the trees and increasing mortality.  Using the techniques of light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy, I have elucidated stages of female development in A. americanum.  Presently, I am investigating the mechanism of explosive seed discharge at the microscopic level.  

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS:

Kelly, S.K.,  Ross Friedman, C.M., and Smith, R.G.  (in press).  Vesicular cells of the lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum) fruit: development, cytochemistry, and lipid analysis. Botany. 

Ross Friedman, C.M., Ross, Bradford N., and Martens, Garnet D.  (in press)  Antibodies raised against tobacco aquaporins of the PIP2 class label the viscin tissue of the explosive dwarf mistletoe fruit.  Plant Biology. 

Wang, H-F., Ross Friedman, C.M., Zhang, Z-X., and Qin, H-N.  (2009).  Early reproductive developmental anatomy in Decaisnea (Lardizabalaceae) and its systematic implications.  Annals of Botany. 104(6):1243-1253; doi:10.1093/aob/mcp232

Fraser, L.H., Greenall, A., Carlyle, C., Turkington, R., and Ross Friedman, C.M.  (2009).  Adaptive phenotypic plasticity of Pseudoroegneria spicata: response of stomatal density, leaf area and biomass to changes in water supply and increased temperature.  Annals of Botany.  103: 769-775.

Ross Friedman, C.M. and Sumner, M.J.  (2009).  Maturation of the embryo, endosperm, and fruit of the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum (Viscaceae).  International Journal of Plant Sciences. 170(3): 290-300. 

Littley, E., Ross Friedman, C.M. and Flood, N.  (2008).   Effect of Arceuthobium americanum (dwarf mistletoe) infection on lodgepole pine needles. Northwest Science 82(3): 237-240.

Chhikara, A. and Ross Friedman, C.M. (2008).   The effects of male and female Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe) infection on the relative positioning of vascular bundles, starch distribution, and starch content in Pinus contorta var. latifolia (lodgepole pine) needles.  Botany.  86(5): 339-543. 

Ross, C.M. (2006).   Viscin cells in the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum – “green springs” with potential roles in explosive seed discharge and seed adhesion.    Davidsonia 17(3): 75-86.  

Ross, C.M., and Sumner, M.J.  (2005).  Early embryo and endosperm development in the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum.  International Journal of Plant Sciences.  166(6): 901-907.

Ross, C.M.  (2005).  A new way of thinking about meiosis: using the fractal dimension to predict the onset of metaphase I.  International Journal of Biological Sciences. 1:123-125.   http://www.biolsci.org/v01p0123.htm

Ross, C.M., and Sumner, M.J.  (2005).  The fertilized embryo sac and formation of the caecum in the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum.  Canadian Journal of Botany.  83(5): 459-466.

Ross, C.M., and Sumner, M.J.  (2004).  Development of the unfertilized embryo sac and pollen tubes in the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium americanum.  Canadian Journal of Botany.  82(11): 1566-1575.

I really, really like teaching.  What else can I say?  The students here at Thompson Rivers University are great!
 

A selection of courses! BIOL 234: "Introduction to Genetics" BIOL 323: "Biochemistry" BIOL 353 "Cell Physiology" <>    I've joined the "electron transport chain gang" -->   I was formerly an instructor at the University of Manitoba, where I taught various Biology courses.