As a UCD postdoctoral researcher, Hiro Nonogaki investigated the molecular mechanisms of seed germination by characterizing the temporal and spatial expressions of cell wall-degrading enzymes in tomato seeds. Now an associate professor at Oregon State University, Hiro continues his research in germination-associated gene discovery. In addition to continuing to characterize transgenic plants generated in the Plant Transformation Facility at UCD, his lab is also dedicated to the functional analysis of the microRNAs and their target genes expressed during seed development and germination. UCD Advisor: Kent Bradford.