Plant Science, Technology and Education Combined
Located on the University of Wyoming’s main campus in Laramie, the Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility is changing how scientists study plant biology, resilience, and sustainability. Under the direction of Michael Baldwin, this advanced greenhouse and imaging lab combines research, student training, and agricultural innovation, all informed by Wyoming’s unique environment.
The facility, found on top of the Science Initiative building, is designed to simulate various growing conditions, including drought stress and nutrient changes. This lets researchers see how plants respond on both large and small scales. With automated imaging, climate-controlled chambers, and advanced sensors, the lab supports precise phenotyping, measuring traits that show how plants function and adapt.
“Phenotyping is the bridge between genetics and performance,” Baldwin explains. “It’s how we connect what’s in a plant’s DNA to how it behaves in the real world.”
The types of plants grown in the facility range from lettuce, kale, nasturtium, strawberries, cotton, etc. All plants are put into some type of experiment whether it is figuring drought control, light differences, vertical farming, or changes in nutrients.
This research matters well beyond the greenhouse. By identifying traits related to drought tolerance, disease resistance, or nutrient efficiency, scientists can help develop crops that are well-suited to Wyoming’s dry climate and address worldly issues such as food insecurity and climate change.
A key feature of the facility is its use of advanced imaging technology. With multispectral cameras, researchers collect data that people cannot see, like chlorophyll fluorescence or thermal signatures, which reveal plant health and stress. Machine learning then helps analyze these images to find patterns and make predictions.
“We can see signs of stress before they’re visible, which is huge for early intervention,” said Baldwin.
This approach supports a range of research projects, from studying native grasses for rangeland restoration to optimizing greenhouse-grown vegetables for local food systems. The facility also collaborates with UW’s departments of molecular biology, soil science, and computer science, fostering a truly interdisciplinary ecosystem.
For UW students, the facility is more than a place for research. It gives them hands-on experience with the future of agriculture. Undergraduate interns help with plant trials, data collection, and imaging analysis, while graduate students design experiments for their theses and publications.
“I’m focused on controlled environment agriculture, which encompasses really any aspect of agriculture that you’re controlling the environment,” said graduate student Isaiah Spiegelberg, who is working on a project in the facility.
Baldwin emphasizes mentorship as a core part of the facility’s mission. “We want students to leave here with real skills — not just lab techniques, but the ability to ask meaningful questions and interpret complex data.”
The facility also hosts workshops and open houses, inviting the broader campus community to explore its work. These events often feature live demonstrations, interactive displays, and Q&A sessions with researchers, helping demystify the science behind plant growth and phenotyping.
While the facility’s research is tailored to Wyoming’s high-altitude, low-precipitation environment, its impact extends far beyond state borders.
Undergraduate student, Jack McKinley, talks about his internship at Prop King based in Ohio, “I was there for two months this summer, helping with whatever they needed. Help with learning the industry. I did a lot with taking care of plants like tomatoes, especially, learned a lot about that and just how systems work in general, the difference between the research and then actual production.”
This work matters worldwide because agriculture is under a lot of stress from changing climates, poor soil, and more people to feed. By creating ways to measure and improve how plants grow, UW’s facility is helping push farming toward more sustainable and data-based methods.
As the facility enters its next phase of development, Baldwin envisions expanding its capacity and outreach. Plans include upgrading imaging systems, integrating drone-based field phenotyping, and increasing student involvement through new coursework and internships.
For students, faculty, and community members, the Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility brings together science, sustainability, and education. Here, plants are more than just crops, they are able to offer insights into building a more resilient future.
