Research Interests

My research largely focuses on understanding the origin, evolution and adaptive significance of phenotypic plasticity in plants. I study a widely distributed, extremely plastic polyploid species – Stellaria longipes (Caryophyllaceae) as a model system. My current research program includes understanding the genetic, ecophysiological and molecular basis of phenotypic plasticity and the environmental cues which regulate the physiology and plastic growth and development.

Courses Taught

Awards

2004 - "The George Lawson Medal": Received this top award from the Canadian Botanical Association

Selected publications

• Sasidharan,R., C.C.Chinnappa, M.Staal, T.M.Elzenga, R.Yokoyama, K.Nishitani, L.A.C.J.Voesenek and R.Pierik. 2010. Light quality-mediated petiole elongation in Arabidopsis during shade avoidance involves cell wall modification by Xyloglucan Endotransglucosylase/Hydrolases. Plant Physiology 154: 978-990.
• Kurepin, L.V., L.J.Walton, E.C.Yeung, C.C.Chinnappa and D.M.Reid. 2010. The interaction of light irradiance with ethylene in regulating growth of Helianthus annuua shoot tissues. Plant Growth Regulation 62: 43-50.
• Li, W., Z. Song, R.J.N.Emery and C.C.Chinnappa. 2010. Effects of day length, light quality and ethylene on Phytochrome B expression during stem elongation in Stellaria longipes. Plant Growth Regulation. 63: 1-10.
• Kurepin,L.V., L.J.Walton, D.M.Reid and C.C.Chinnappa. 2010. Light regulation of endogenous salicylic acid levels in hypocotyls of Helianthus annuus seedlings. Botany 88:668-674. endogenous salicylic acid levels in hypocotyls of Helianthus annuus seedlings. Botany 88:668-674.
• Walton,L.J., L.V.Kurepin, D.M.Reid and C.C.Chinnappa. 2010. Narrow-band light regulation of ethylene and gibberellin levels in hydroponically-grown Helianthus annus hypocotyls and roots. Pl. Growth Regul. 61:53-59.
• Dang,T.T.T., E.C.Yeung and C.C.Chinnappa. 2009. Differences in cellular structure regulate stem elongation in alpine and prarie ecotypes of Stellaria longipes grown under two contrasting temperature regimes. Botany 87:1167-1176.
• Sasidharan,R., C.C.Chinnappa,L.A.C.J.Voesenek and R.Pierik. 2009. A molecular basis for the physiological variation in shade avoidance responses: a tale of two ecotypes. Plant Signell. & Behavior. 4:1-2.
• Sangatarash,M.H.,M.M.Qaderi, C.C.Chinnappa and D.M.Reid. 2009. Responses of different Stellaria longipes ecotypes to Ultraviolet-B radiation and drought stress. Flora 204: 593-603.
• Li, W., Zi-Hong Song, Rashmi Sasidharan and C.C. Chinnappa.2009. Light and shade regulate four phytochrome A genes in Stellaria longipes. Int.J.Plant.Sci.170;164-173.
• Thuy,D.T.T. and C.C.Chinnappa. 2008. Genotype environmenta interaction in tetraploid Stellaria longipes: temperature effects on stem elongation. J.Cytol.& Genet.9:53-62.
• Sasidharan,R., C.C.Chinnappa, L.A.C.J.Voesenek and R. Pierik. 2008. The regulation of cell wall extensibility during shade avoidance: a study using two contrasting ecotypes of Stellaria longipes. Plant Physiology 148: 1557-1569.
• Kurepin,L.V., J.Neil.Emery, C.C.Chinnappa and D.M.Reid. 2008. Light irradiance differentially regulates endogenous levels of cytokinins and auxin in alpine and prairie genotypes of Stellaria longipes. Physiol. Plantarum 134:624-635.
• Kurepin, L.V., Linda Walton, D.M.Reid, C.C.Chinnappa and R.P.Pharis. 2007. Photoperiod, light quality and irradiance effects on flowering in sun and shade ecotypes of Stellaria longipes. Can. J. Bot. 85:538-544.
• Dang, Thi Thu Thuy and C. C. Chinnappa. 2007. The reproductive biology of Stellaria longipes Goldie (Caryophyllaceae) in North America. Flora. 202 : 403-407.
• Walton,L.J., L.V.Kurepin, D.M.Reid and C.C.Chinnappa. 2006. Stem and leaf growth of alpine sun and prairie shade ecotypes of Stellaria longipes under different photoperiods:role of ethylene. Can.J.Bot.84:1496-1502.
• Kurepin,L.V., Lisa Mancell, D.M.Reid, R.P.Pharis and C.C.Chinnappa. 2006. Possible roles for ethylene and gibberellin in the phenotypic plasticity of an alpine population of Stellaria longipes. Can. J. Bot. 84: 1101-1109.
• Kurepin,L.V., R.P.Pharis, D.M.Reid and C.C.Chinnappa. 2006. Involvement of gibberellins in the stem elongation of sun and shade ecotypes of Stellaria longipes that is induced by low light irradiance. Plant. Cell & Env. 29: 1319-1328.
• Kurepin,L.V., L.J.Walton,D.M.Reid,R.P.Pharis and C.C.Chinnappa. 2006. Growth and ethylene evolution by shade and sun ecotypes of Stellaria longipes in response to varied light quality and irradiance. Plant Cell & Env. 29:647-652.
• Chinnappa, C.C., G.M.Donald, R. Sasidharan, and R.J.N. Emery. 2005. The Biology of Stellaria longipes Goldie (Caryophyllaceae). Can. J. Bot. 83:1367-1383.

additional link: http://blog.1800flowers.com/international/chinnapp-bio-et/