NatSci faculty recognized among the world's most highly cited researchers

Four College of Natural Science (NatSci) researchers are among the seven MSU faculty and 6,078 scientists from around the world recognized in the Highly Cited Researchers List, an annual compilation of the global leaders in scientific influence by Clarivate Analytics (formerly of Thomson Reuters) for 2018.

The list, in its fifth year, honors scientists from 21 different fields of study and recognizes those whose citation records position them in the highest ranks of influence and impact; the list includes 17 Nobel laureates. Requirements for earning a place in the 2018 list include publication of multiple highly cited papers from 2006 to 2016 and ranking in the top one percent of citations in their fields.

The NatSci researchers represented in the Highly Cited Researchers List are:

Sheng Yang He, University Distinguished Professor and member of the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory (PRL), has been recognized on this list all five years. He investigates the molecular biology of plant–pathogen interactions; specifically, his lab is studying plant-Pseudomonas syringae interactions to gain insights into some of the basic principles underlying bacterial pathogenesis and disease susceptibility in plants.

“It is an honor to be recognized in this way, even though this represents only one of the metrics that measure a researcher’s impact,” said He, who holds joint appointments in the Departments of Plant Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. “I personally know a number of colleagues at MSU who have made greater impact but are not on the list. Still, I am very proud of my lab members and collaborators, whose outstanding work has made this recognition possible. MSU is an excellent place for conducting cutting-edge plant and microbial sciences research.”

Gregg Howe, MSU Foundation Professor and a member of the MSU-DOE PRL, has also been recognized on this citation list all five years. Howe’s research explores the molecular and biochemical basis of plant–insect interactions. More specifically, his research seeks to understand how plants respond to insect herbivory and other forms of wound stress. 

“It is gratifying to learn that our work on plant-insect interactions and hormone signaling is highly cited in the field of plant biology,” said Howe, who is also a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. “This distinction reflects the combined efforts of many talented students and collaborators over the years. Our contributions would not have been possible without the long-standing commitment of the MSU administration to the plant sciences and the supportive research environment on campus.”

John Ohlrogge, professor emeritus and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Biology and member of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, studies how plants control the activity of fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism pathways and how that manifests within or outside the plant cell. Ohlrogge has been recognized on this citation list for the past three years.

Phil Robertson, University Distinguished Professor of ecosystem science at MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, and Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, conducts research that broadly addresses issues of agricultural sustainability, including plant, soil and microbial interactions that affect yield.

“It's always nice to be recognized,” said Robertson, “and in this case, credit is mostly due to those with whom I publish, mostly at MSU, and I'm grateful for all.”

The three other MSU faculty members recognized on this year’s list are Rufus Isaacs, professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Jianguo “Jack” Liu, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability and a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; and James Tiedje, University Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, and Director of the Center for Microbial Ecology.

 

Banner image: Requirements for earning a place in the 2018  Highly Cited Researchers List, an annual compilation of the global leaders in scientific influence by Clarivate Analytics list include publication of multiple highly cited papers from 2006 to 2016 and ranking in the top one percent of citations in their fields.