Noah Kaufman

PhD Candidate

Email:  noahkauf@student.ubc.ca
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Project

Functionalizing Populus trichocarpa BAHD acyltransferases to elucidate the biosynthesis of salicinoids and the effects of high salicinoid production on fungal pathogen infection severity and acute drought stress in Populus sp.

Research Interests

My research integrates chemophenetics, chemical ecology, and secondary metabolism to investigate the evolution and function of phenolic compounds in woody plants, with a particular focus on the salicaceous genus Populus. Populus hybrids are a dominant model for studying woody plant growth and development, play important ecological roles across Canadian ecosystems, and are promising sources of cellulosic biomass for renewable biofuel production.

My thesis focuses on the biosynthesis, diversification, and ecological roles of salicinoids, a class of phenolic glycosides containing a salicin moiety that are widespread throughout the Salicaceae. Although salicinoids have been studied primarily for their roles in herbivore deterrence and potential human health benefits, they also provide insight into the diversification of genes and species within the Salicaceae and may contribute to drought tolerance and resistance to fungal pathogens. Using molecular cloning, plant transformation in multiple genetic backgrounds, and chemical analyses, my work aims to functionally characterize Populus BAHD acyltransferase genes to elucidate the genetic basis of salicinoid metabolism and its ecological consequences.

Education

BSc in Plant Biology | University of Vermont, USA (2022)

Selected Publications and Conference Presentations

Noah J Kaufman, Jamie You, Brian G Fox, Shawn D Mansfield, Populus salicinoids: a thriving subfield in the omics era, Tree Physiology, Volume 45, Issue 13, November 2025, Pages 45–56, https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpaf065

Awards, Grants, Scholarships

  • Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education Tree Biology Fellowship (Aug. 2021 – May 2023)
  • University of Vermont Presidential Scholarship (2017-2022)