Christopher DeFraia is an Associate Professor of Biology done his Ph.D., Molecular Biology, University of Florida (2010), Postdoctoral Fellow, Ohio State University (2010–2014). Courses Taught at Ferris State University:BIOL 101: Genetics—Human Aspects, BIOL 121: General Biology, Current Topics in Biology, Principles of Genetics, Bioinformatics.

His research interest is in Plants studies, Plants have never been used for more applications than they are today. Of course, plants are our ultimate food source, so obtaining a detailed understanding of them is imperative. Plants also provide energy, building material and drugs, and they fulfill a plethora of other human needs. Through photosynthesis plants provide the oxygen required by animals and remove carbon dioxide (the most important greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere. Despite their importance, the function of more than a third of all plant genes remains unknown. Versions of many of these genes are also present in other species, including humans. tools of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics to determine the function of plant genes. I am particularly interested in genes that determine how plants respond to an ever-changing environment.