Thomas Silva

Senior Lecturer, School of Integrative Plant Science Plant Biology Section

My primary focus is in the instruction of plant biology courses for majors and non majors

Interests

Botany, plant physiology and diversity

Educating non-majors about basic biology

Recent Research

As a Senior Lecturer, I do not have a formal Research Program. My interests when I find the time are in the area of Plant Root growth and Development.

Outreach and Extension Focus

Educating and consulting in area schools about plant biology

I have been giving guest Lectures at Cornell Botanic Gardens to the volunteers in the childhood Education Program, and Judy's day volunteers since 2014.

Selected Journal Publications

Silva, T. M., & Davies, P. J. (2007). Hormone growth responses of roots of shoot height mutants of pea. Physiologia Plantarum. 129:813-821.
Silva, T. M., & Davies, P. J. (2007). Elongation rates and endogenous indoleacetic acid levels in roots of pea mutants differing in internode length. Physiologia Plantarum. 129:804-812.

Courses Taught

PLSCI 1420: Functional Plant Biology (for Plant Science majors)
PLSCI 2400: Green World/Blue Planet (for non-majors)
PLSCI 3421: Plant Physiology Laboratory.

Contact Information

110 Plant Science Building
Ithaca, NY 14853

ts21 [at] cornell.edu

Education
- Doctorate
  Cornell University
  1999
- Master of Science
  University of Rhode Island
  1991
- Bachelor of Science
  University of Rhode Island
  1988

Thomas in the news

News

May 31, 2023

Faculty, staff win SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

Nineteen faculty and professional staff members in Cornell’s four state contract colleges have been selected for the 2022-23 State University of New York Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence.

Department of Communication
Food Science
Molecular Biology and Genetics

composite image of an animated tom silva teaching

News

September 16, 2022

Our Stories: Working through first-gen challenges

Tom Silva is a senior lecturer in the Plant Biology Section and chair of the SIPS Diversity and Inclusion Council. The Our Stories series profiles diverse members of the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) community. Here is Tom’s story...

School of Integrative Plant Science
Plant Biology Section