• I am an old-school "black-box" physiologist. I am interested the photosensory mechanisms that regulate plant responses to ultraviolet radiation (UV). My students and I study responses to UV in laboratory and field conditions. We use analytical chemistry to characterize UV absorbing pigments, biophysical methods for assessing plant and cell structure and high-resolution measurements of growth, all coupled with precision manipulation of light environments to induce developmental changes. Our plants of choice include multiple genetic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana, cucumbers, Texas native grasses, all the way to vines and wines. One of the most satisfying aspects of my research career has been the number of times students have seen something that everyone else has missed (including me).

    • Ph.D., Stanford University 
    • B.A., Swarthmore College 
    • Sullivan, H and Shinkle J (2019) The Dark Green in the Early Anthropocene: Goethe’s Plants in Versuch die Metamorphose der Pflanzen zu erklären and Triumph der Empfindsamkeit. Peer reviewed chapter in Goethe Yearbook, Camden House, 26:141-162.
    • Longan E*., Knutsen M,* Shinkle J. and Chosed R.J. (2017) Adapting a photochemical reactor to the study of UV ecology in vineyard yeast. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. In press.
    • Shinkle, J.R. (2016 update from 2008) Photomorphogenesis. Chapter for The Digital Photobiology Compendium, now Photobiological Science Online, produced by the American Society of Photobiology.
    • Gregan, S., J., Wargent, L. Liu, J. Shinkle, R. Hofmann, C. Winefield, M. Trought, and B. Jordan (2012) The effects of solar ultraviolet radiation and canopy manipulation on the biochemical composition of Sauvignon Blanc grapes Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 18: 227-238
    • Magerøy, M.H.*, E.H. Kowalik*, K Folta and J.R. Shinkle (2010) Phototropin1 Contributes to UV-C Induced Stem Growth Responses. Plant Signaling and Behavior 5: 1204-1210
    • Shinkle, J. R., M.C. Edwards*, A Koenig*, A Shaltz* and P.W. Barnes (2010) Photomorphogenic regulation of increases in UV absorbing pigments in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings induced by different UV-B and UV-C wavebands. Physiologia Plantarum, 138:113-121.
    • Light regulation of plant form and function
    • Introductory Biology Laboratory
    • Integrative Biology I
      • Cells and Cell Systems
    • Plant Biology
      • Cell Biology
      • Senior Seminar
      • Science Fiction First Year Experience
    • Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship for excellence in teaching and advising
    • Chair, Health Professions Advisory Committee
    • Director of Center for STEM Peer-Learning
    • Faculty Sponsor, Trinity Doctor Who Society
    • Executive editor, Photobiological Sciences Online
    • Steering Committee Member, Arts Letters and Enterprise Program