Affiliation: University of Pretoria, FABI, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Dr. Creux completed her PhD at the University of Pretoria in 2014 and focused on the molecular genetics of cellulose synthase regulation during wood formation. After this Nicky’s focus shifted to sunflower circadian rhythms and flower physiology when she joined the Harmer lab at UC Davis. This research focused on the interaction between the environment and the circadian clock to co-ordinate pollinator visits and anthesis. Dr. Creux took up a faculty position at the University of Pretoria in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) in 2019, where her team focuses on understanding the environmental factors influencing the floral biology of crop species. For this research, the team employs several different plant phenotyping and image analysis tools. For detailed changes in individual flowers, they use low-cost Raspberry Pi imaging under controlled conditions and weather resistant field cameras for time-lapse photography. To assess general plant and crop development for maize and sunflower, the team is using both field scan systems with LiDAR, RGB and NIR capabilities or UAVs with thermal and multispectral imaging. Recently, Dr. Creux has embarked on a new project with Innovation Africa @UP to grow a plant phenotyping platform at the University of Pretoria to help link platforms across the University and the country. Nicky believes agriculture and food security are important in developing South Africa and access to quality phenotyping is a key element to its success.