Dr. Matthews is an environmental plant biologist interested in understanding how plants interact with the physico-chemical environment, particularly with respect to water. Dr. Matthews' long-term objective is to contribute to the improved use of limited resources, especially water, in crop production by identifying and modifying the physiological mechanisms by which plants respond to limited resource availability. On the fundamental side, his investigations center around water transport, cell expansion and gas exchange. On the practical side, he focuses on improving the ability to identify and regulate vine water and nutrient status, as well as cataloging the consequences of resource limitations for growth and development of grapevines. Dr. Matthews is committed to working with the grapevine as an experimental system, and his research is largely directed toward creating knowledge that will allow viticulturists to improve water and nutrient use by better understanding the water and nutrient statuses of the vineyard and their consequences for yield and quality.
