David M. Kramer (biophysicist)

David M. Kramer is an American biophysicist known for his work on photosynthesis, particularly in the area of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and its regulation. He is a professor in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University and is affiliated with the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory.

Kramer's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which plants regulate photosynthesis in response to changing environmental conditions, such as variations in light intensity and nutrient availability. He has developed and utilized techniques to measure photosynthetic efficiency and the various components of NPQ, a process that protects plants from damage caused by excess light energy.

His group's work has contributed significantly to the understanding of the molecular players involved in NPQ, including PsbS and violaxanthin de-epoxidase. Kramer has also been involved in developing new technologies for high-throughput phenotyping of photosynthetic performance in plants, aiding in the identification of genes and pathways that can be manipulated to improve crop productivity and stress tolerance.

Kramer's research has been funded by various agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE). He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is a frequently invited speaker at international conferences on photosynthesis.