Adrian Hegeman

Adrian D. Hegeman is a Professor in the Microbial and Plant Genomics Institute at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus with appointments in the Departments of Horticultural Science and Plant and Microbial Biology. He received his B. A. in Biochemistry from Oberlin College in 1992, and completed his Ph. D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the laboratory of Perry A. Frey in 2001 studying the structure and function of the enzyme of dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase. He then continued his post-doctoral studies at U. of Wisconsin in the laboratory of Michael R. Sussman using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics (2002-2007). During his postdoc Adrian co-authored a textbook with his graduate advisor (Frey) titled: Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms (Oxford, 2007). He has held his appointment at the University of Minnesota since 2007 studying plant metabolomics and the use of stable isotopes and mass spectrometry for methodological innovations. He is interested in comparing the metabolism of Vitis vinifera and V. riparia hybrids to understand the molecular basis for differences in grape berry color and flavor/aroma properties as well as physiological traits such as stress tolerance. Other projects include: exploring the botanical origins of propolis collected by honey bees, examining the mechanistic enzymology of plant hormone (auxin) biosynthesis, measuring bioactive constituents of kava (‘awa; Piper methysticum), and prospecting for antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds and new essential oils from MN native and naturalized prairie plants to use as preservatives in cosmetics.