Dohleman

Frank Dohleman

PhD Candidate
Graduate Research for the Environment Fellow
Department of Plant Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests:
Miscanthus and switchgrass physiology and canopy carbon budgets

PhD Research:
The University of Illinois has run experiments comparing two potential biofuel species, namely Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) since 2002, and yield trials have shown that Miscanthus is at least twice as productive as Switchgrass under Illinois climatic conditions. The focus of my research is to determine photosynthetic mechanisms which could account for this difference in yield. I plan to use diurnal photosynthesis measurements, coupled with A/Ci and A/Q measurements to help explain differences in carbon assimilation between the two species. I also plan to use biochemical techniques to determine carbon and nitrogen budgets of Miscanthus and Switchgrass on a diurnal time scale. Eventually, I hope to help make the vision of a cleaner, more energy efficient U.S. into a reality.

Education:
2005- Graduate Student, UIUC. Advisor: Stephen P. Long (Biofuel Development)
2001 B.Sc., UIUC (General Biology, Chemistry minor)

Research Experience:
2005-      Research Assistant, Department of Plant Biology
                • Served as Coordinator for a Biomass Special Research Initiative
                • Directed a wide variety of physiological experiments leading to carbon budget estimates in Miscanthus and switchgrass field trials
2004-5   Research Technician, Department of Crop Sciences
              • Led project to propagate and plant 3 acres of Miscanthus and 2 acres of switchgrass
              • Supervised a team of employees in the maintenance and clean-up of 7 acres of Miscanthus and 2 acres of switchgrass
2001-3   Research Technician, Department of Crop Sciences
               • Constructed and helped maintain much of the infrastructure for the SoyFACE facility
               • Helped lead an international team of researchers in the setup and teardown of the SoyFACE facility

Peer-Reviewed Publications

C.J. Bernacchi, A.D.B. Leakey, L.E. Heady, P.B. Morgan, F.G. Dohleman, J.M. McGrath, K.M. Gillespie, V.E. Wittig, A. Rogers, S.P. Long, D.R. Ort. (2006) Hourly and seasonal variation in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of soybean grown at future CO2 and ozone concentrations for 3 years under fully open-air field conditions. Plant, Cell and Environment 29: 2077-2090.

P.B. Morgan, G.A. Bollero, R.L. Nelson, F.G. Dohleman, S.P. Long (2005) Smaller than predicted increase in aboveground net primary production and yield of field-grown soybean under fully open-air [CO2] elevation. Global Change Biology 11:10, 1856-1865.

A. D. B. Leakey, C. J. Bernacchi, F. G. Dohleman, D. R. Ort and S. P. Long. (2004) Will photosynthesis of maize (Zea mays) in the US Corn Belt increase in future [CO2] rich atmospheres? An analysis of diurnal courses of CO2 uptake under free-air concentration enrichment (FACE). Global Change Biology 10:6, 951-962.

A. Rogers, D.J. Allen, P.A. Davey, P.B. Morgan, E.A. Ainsworth, C.J. Bernacchi, G. Cornic, O. Dermody, F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton, E.H. Delucia, D.R. Ort, S.P. Long (2004) Leaf photosynthesis and carbohydrate dynamics of soybeans grown throughout their life-cycle under Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment. Plant Cell and Environment, 27:449-458.

E.A. Heaton, F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long (2008) Meeting U.S. biofuel goals with less land: The potential of Miscanthus. Global Change Biology (submitted).

Invited Presentations

F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Miscanthus: Findings and Challenges With a New Crop. Peoria Farm Show, Peoria, IL. Nov, 2006.
F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Biofuels and Potential Carbon Sequestration. Southern Illinois Crop Management Conference, Whittington, IL. Jan. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Biofuels and Potential Carbon Sequestration. Central Illinois Crop Management Conference, Springfield, IL. Feb. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Biofuels and Potential Carbon Sequestration. Northern Illinois Crop Management Conference, Malta, IL. Feb. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman.Student Perspective on Bioenergy. University of Illinois Board of Trustees Meeting. Mar. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Nutrient Recycling and Sustainability in Miscanthus. Fueling Change with Renewable Energy Conference. Urbana, IL Apr. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Miscanthus: Findings and Challenges with a New Crop. Champaign County Democrats Monthly Meeting. Champaign, IL. Jun. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman. Student Perspectives on Bioenergy Curriculum. UIUC Center for Advanced Bioenergy Research Curriculum Development Meeting. Urbana, IL. Jul. 2007.
E.A. Heaton, F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Giant Miscanthus. Southeast Bioenergy Conference. Tifton, GA. Aug. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, T.B. Voigt and S.P. Long. Miscanthus and Switchgrass Trials in Illinois. Ontario Agri-Food Forum. Ottawa, ON, Canada. Oct. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton, and S.P. Long. Miscanthus and Switchgrass Trials in Illinois. Southwest Agricultural Conference. Ridgetown, ON, Canada. Jan. 2008.

Selected Presentations

E.A. Heaton, F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation. Fuel without the Fossils: Can Miscanthus Do for Coal What Ethanol Has Done for Gasoline? University of Illinois Agronomy Day. Urbana, IL. Aug. 2005.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation Bioenergy Crops. Central Illinois Irrigated Growers Association Annual Meeting, Havana, IL, Feb. 2006.
F.G. Dohleman Field Tour Argentine Agricultural Producers, Sep, 2006.
F.G. Dohleman Briefing of Senator Obama’s Agriculture Legislative Assistant on Bioenergy. Urbana, IL. Nov, 2006.
F.G. Dohleman and S.P. Long. Briefing of Canadian Consulate on Biobased Products. Urbana, IL. Jan, 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation. Bioenergy Crops. Central Illinois Irrigated Growers Association Annual Meeting, Havana, IL, Feb. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton, D. Wang, A.D.B. Leakey and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation. Does increased daily carbon assimilation coupled with a higher Leaf Area Index and longer growing season explain the difference in productivity between two potential bioenergy crops? 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists, Chicago, IL Jun. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, E.A. Heaton and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation. Miscanthus and Switchgrass Trials in Illinois. University of Illinois Agronomy Day. Urbana, IL. Aug. 2007.
F.G. Dohleman, M. Khanna, G. Letterly, L. Smith, and S.P. Long. Oral Presentation. Biomass Heat and Power in Illinois. Dudley Smith Cow-Calf Day. Taylorville, IL. Oct. 2007

Teaching Experience

Guest lecturer – Atmospheric Sciences 491: Topics in Atmospheric Sciences, Nov., 2006.
Guest lecturer – Integrative Biology 420: Plants and Global Change, Apr. 2007.
Teaching Assistant – Integrative Biology 202: Structure and Function, Spring 2008.

Service and Society Memberships

Student Ambassador (2007-present)
American Society of Agronomists (2006-present)
American Society of Plant Biologists (2006-present)
Chair, Plant Biology Graduate Student Association (2007-2008)
Referee, Global Change Biology (2007-)
Referee, Bioscience (2007-)

Please feel free to contact me with questions and comments.

379 Edward R Madigan Laboratory
1201 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL, 61801
Phone: (217) 244-6317
Fax: (217) 244-7563 c/o Dr. Steve Long
Email Frank

Stephen Long Lab