Alison R. Taylor
Professor
Education
Ph.D. Neurobiology, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England.
B.Sc. (Hons) Biological Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, England.
Specialization in Teaching
I have taught introductory and advanced cell biology (BIO 201 and BIO 519), Phytoplankton: From Ecology to Biotechnology (BIO 371), and Cell Biology of Marine Microbes: From Molecular Processes to Ecology (BIO 604). I also periodically teach senior seminar on a range of topics (BIO 495). I have a long history of providing technical training in advanced cell physiology and bioimaging workshops in the UK and through my role as Director of the Richard M Dillaman Biological Imaging Facility at UNCW. I have developed several advanced courses that utilize the facility including; Biological Imaging for the Life Sciences (BIO 519), Electron Microscopy (BIO 512), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (BIO 585).
Research Interests
Marine microbial ecophysiology. My research aims to advance our understanding of the cell biology, membrane physiology, and sensory ecology of single-celled marine organisms. We focus on the cellular mechanisms that underpin the ecological success of coccolithophores, diatoms, dinoflagellates, and microzooplankton ciliates. We are especially interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms of biomineralization, trophic and allelopathic interactions among marine microbes, and the impact of these processes on biologically driven nutrient cycles. Using a combination of electrophysiology, advanced imaging, and molecular approaches our work continues to reveal novel discoveries that are broadly relevant to the evolution of eukaryotes such as cell signaling, ion transport and homeostasis, and cellular ultrastructure.
Significant contributions include:
Koester J.A., Fox O., Smith E., Cox M.B. & Taylor A.R. (2025). A multifunctional organelle coordinates phagocytosis and chlorophagy in a marine eukaryote phytoplankton Scyphosphaera apsteinii. New Phytologist 246(3):1096-1112.
Helliwell K., Chrachri A., Koester J., Wharam S., Taylor A.R., Wheeler G.L., Brownlee C. (2020). A novel Na+-selective voltage-gated channel in eukaryotes. Plant Physiology: 184 (4):1674-1683.
Helliwell K., Chrachri A., Koester J., Verret F., Wharam S., Taylor A.R., Wheeler G.L., Brownlee C. (2019) Alternative mechanisms for fast Na+/Ca2+ signalling in eukaryotes via a novel class of single-domain voltage-gated channels. Current Biology, 29: 1503–1511
Taylor, A.R, Chrachri, A., Wheeler, G., Goddard, H. & Brownlee, C. (2011) A voltage-gated H+ channel underlying pH homeostasis in calcifying coccolithophores. PLoS Biol 9(6): e1001085.
Professional Service
Examples include:
Peer Reviewer for Journals
Science, PNAS, New Phytologist, Plant Journal, Plant Cell, Nature Communications, Journal of Phycology, Limnology and Oceanography, Biofouling, Marine Biotechnology, Marine Micropalentology, Journal of the Marine Biological Association, Journal of Plankton Research, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, Protoplasma, Progress in Phycological Research, Journal of Experimental Botany.
Peer Reviewer for Grant Agencies:
Grant and panel reviewer for NSF Biological Oceanography
Grant reviewer for NSF Antarctic Science Programs
Grant reviewer for Israel Science Foundation
Grant and panel reviewer for NIH R15 AREA, Microbial and Invertebrate Genetics
Grant reviewer for NSF Antarctic Organisms & Ecosystems (AOE) Program
Grant reviewer for NSF Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Program
Review panel member NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Program.
Grant reviewer for Future Oceans cluster of excellence, CAU, Kiel, Germany.
Grant reviewer for NSF International Research Experience for Students (IRES) program
Grant reviewer for Marine Biological Association Peter Baker Fellowship
Grant reviewer for NERC Ocean Acidification Panel
Grant reviewer for NSF Plant Fungal and Microbial Development panel RUI.
External reviewer of The Plant and Microbial Science Committee Responsive mode portfolio of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UK.
Grant reviewer for Natural Environment Research Council, UK
Other professional service:
Editorial Advisory Board member for the Journal New Phytologist
I fulfill regular requests for external Tenure and Promotion Reviews in USA and Internationally
Honors & Awards
2025 Elected and Inducted into the Order of Isaac Bear, UNCW
2020 Elected Fellow of the Marine Biological Association, UK (FMBA)
2019 UNCW College of Arts and Sciences Convocation Speaker
2018 UNCW Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award
2017 UNCW College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Research Award
2016 UNCW Discere Aude award for outstanding mentoring of students
2015 UNCW Honors Faculty Mentor Award
2007 Kathleen Drew-Baker Prize- Best paper published in European Journal of Phycology.
1999 Leverhulme Special Research Fellow.