Madison Kaplen

PhD Candidate

Email: mvkaplen@mail.ubc.ca
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Projects

  • Exploring secondary cell wall cellulose biosynthesis through cellulose synthase irregular xylem Arabidopsis mutants
  • The influence of raffinose family of oligosaccharide carbohydrates on wood development in hybrid poplar

Research Interests

Cellulose, plant cell wall, carbohydrate biosynthesis, physiology, Arabidopsis, Poplar

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth, acting as the main structural carbohydrate in plant cell walls. The specific deposition of this component affects cell shape, size, structure, and function. While we know much of the important basics around cellulose synthesis in plant cell walls, there are still many unanswered questions. My research interests lie in integrating genetics, molecular biology, plant physiology, and analytical chemistry to elucidate the nuanced contributions of Arabidopsis thaliana cellulose synthase 4, 7 and 8 to the production of cellulose in the secondary cell wall. Utilizing complementary approaches that span from nanoscale cellulose architecture to macroscopic plant traits, my research aims to connect molecular mechanisms of cellulose synthesis to their effects on whole-plant structure and function

Education

BSc in Biology (Distinction) | University of British Columbia, Canada (2021)

Selected Publications and Conference Presentations

Xue, J. Y., McNair, G., Watanabe, Y., Kaplen, M. V., Guevara-Rozo, S., Schuetz, M., … & Samuels, A. L. (2024). COBRA-LIKE4 modulates cellulose synthase velocity and facilitates cellulose deposition in the secondary cell wall. Plant Physiology, 196(4), 2531-2548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1062264

Kaplen, M.V., Brown, K., Mansfield, S.D., Exploring the growth and development of cesa irx mutants – International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology, Vancouver, Canada (2025)

Kaplen, M.V., You, J., Saunders, R., Unda, F., Mansfield, S.D., The Raffinose Family of Oligosaccharides Modulates Growth and Cell Wall Chemistry in Hybrid Poplar- International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology, Vancouver, Canada (2025)

Awards, Grants, Scholarships

  • Best Oral Presentation – Best Poster, 2025 International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology, Vancouver, Canada (2025)
  • BPOC Graduate Excellence Award (2025)
  • President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award (2022W, 2023S, 2023W, 2024S, 2024W)