World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Plant Science and Agronomy
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Discipline name D-Index World Ranking Current World Ranking National Ranking Current National Ranking Publications Citations
Plant Science and Agronomy 118 74 71 24 22 304 73969

Richard D. Vierstra publications per year

The chart shows the history of publications by Richard D. Vierstra between 1978 and 2025, highlighting the no. of papers published in each year and offering an overview of the publication velocity of this scholar. Richard D. Vierstra published across 48 years, from 1978 to 2025, averaging 6.6 papers a year. Output peaked at 15 publications in 2011. 7 of the 318 publications appeared in the last two years.

No. of publications
5 10 15
Bar chart. Horizontal axis: year, 1978 to 2025. Vertical axis: number of publications, 0 to 15. Peak 15 publications in 2011. 1978: 1 publication 1979: 0 publications 1980: 1 publication 1981: 4 publications 1982: 3 publications 1983: 3 publications 1984: 4 publications 1985: 4 publications 1986: 1 publication 1987: 6 publications 1988: 2 publications 1989: 7 publications 1990: 4 publications 1991: 6 publications 1992: 5 publications 1993: 10 publications 1994: 6 publications 1995: 6 publications 1996: 7 publications 1997: 4 publications 1998: 5 publications 1999: 11 publications 2000: 3 publications 2001: 6 publications 2002: 4 publications 2003: 9 publications 2004: 6 publications 2005: 10 publications 2006: 5 publications 2007: 12 publications 2008: 7 publications 2009: 7 publications 2010: 6 publications 2011: 15 publications 2012: 7 publications 2013: 7 publications 2014: 11 publications 2015: 7 publications 2016: 15 publications 2017: 8 publications 2018: 11 publications 2019: 13 publications 2020: 11 publications 2021: 11 publications 2022: 13 publications 2023: 7 publications 2024: 3 publications 2025: 4 publications
1978 2025

318 publications in total across all disciplines

View publications per year as a table
Richard D. Vierstra: publications per year, 1978 to 2025
Year Publications
1978 1
1979 0
1980 1
1981 4
1982 3
1983 3
1984 4
1985 4
1986 1
1987 6
1988 2
1989 7
1990 4
1991 6
1992 5
1993 10
1994 6
1995 6
1996 7
1997 4
1998 5
1999 11
2000 3
2001 6
2002 4
2003 9
2004 6
2005 10
2006 5
2007 12
2008 7
2009 7
2010 6
2011 15
2012 7
2013 7
2014 11
2015 7
2016 15
2017 8
2018 11
2019 13
2020 11
2021 11
2022 13
2023 7
2024 3
2025 4
Total 318
Download as CSV

Richard D. Vierstra publication distribution in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Richard D. Vierstra sits on this spectrum.

No. of scientists
50 100 150 200 250
Bar chart with 88 bars. Horizontal axis: publications, 36–40 to 467+. Vertical axis: number of scientists, 0 to 255. Most scientists, 255, have 111–115 publications. The last bar groups every scientist with 467 publications or more. The highlighted bar, 301–305 publications, is where this scientist sits. 36–40 publications: 2 scientists 41–45 publications: 7 scientists 46–50 publications: 40 scientists 51–55 publications: 58 scientists 56–60 publications: 60 scientists 61–65 publications: 107 scientists 66–70 publications: 130 scientists 71–75 publications: 153 scientists 76–80 publications: 191 scientists 81–85 publications: 199 scientists 86–90 publications: 206 scientists 91–95 publications: 218 scientists 96–100 publications: 226 scientists 101–105 publications: 227 scientists 106–110 publications: 247 scientists 111–115 publications: 255 scientists 116–120 publications: 253 scientists 121–125 publications: 233 scientists 126–130 publications: 219 scientists 131–135 publications: 201 scientists 136–140 publications: 194 scientists 141–145 publications: 176 scientists 146–150 publications: 157 scientists 151–155 publications: 147 scientists 156–160 publications: 151 scientists 161–165 publications: 159 scientists 166–170 publications: 137 scientists 171–175 publications: 128 scientists 176–180 publications: 126 scientists 181–185 publications: 98 scientists 186–190 publications: 114 scientists 191–195 publications: 100 scientists 196–200 publications: 90 scientists 201–205 publications: 71 scientists 206–210 publications: 98 scientists 211–215 publications: 70 scientists 216–220 publications: 86 scientists 221–225 publications: 61 scientists 226–230 publications: 58 scientists 231–235 publications: 53 scientists 236–240 publications: 64 scientists 241–245 publications: 39 scientists 246–250 publications: 46 scientists 251–255 publications: 51 scientists 256–260 publications: 36 scientists 261–265 publications: 44 scientists 266–270 publications: 35 scientists 271–275 publications: 30 scientists 276–280 publications: 33 scientists 281–285 publications: 35 scientists 286–290 publications: 36 scientists 291–295 publications: 26 scientists 296–300 publications: 26 scientists 301–305 publications: 31 scientists 306–310 publications: 30 scientists 311–315 publications: 21 scientists 316–320 publications: 29 scientists 321–325 publications: 14 scientists 326–330 publications: 15 scientists 331–335 publications: 15 scientists 336–340 publications: 17 scientists 341–345 publications: 15 scientists 346–350 publications: 12 scientists 351–355 publications: 17 scientists 356–360 publications: 18 scientists 361–365 publications: 12 scientists 366–370 publications: 11 scientists 371–375 publications: 6 scientists 376–380 publications: 6 scientists 381–385 publications: 11 scientists 386–390 publications: 9 scientists 391–395 publications: 10 scientists 396–400 publications: 8 scientists 401–405 publications: 4 scientists 406–410 publications: 9 scientists 411–415 publications: 11 scientists 416–420 publications: 4 scientists 421–425 publications: 7 scientists 426–430 publications: 4 scientists 431–435 publications: 3 scientists 436–440 publications: 5 scientists 441–445 publications: 8 scientists 446–450 publications: 6 scientists 451–455 publications: 7 scientists 456–460 publications: 5 scientists 461–465 publications: 6 scientists 466 publications: 2 scientists 467+ publications: 99 scientists
36–40 publications 467+

This scientist: 304 publications — 93rd percentile

93% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 467 publications or more.

View publications distribution as a table
Number of Plant Science and Agronomy scientists by publication count, Research.com 2026 ranking edition. Based on 6,494 ranked scientists.
Publications Scientists This scientist
36–40 2
41–45 7
46–50 40
51–55 58
56–60 60
61–65 107
66–70 130
71–75 153
76–80 191
81–85 199
86–90 206
91–95 218
96–100 226
101–105 227
106–110 247
111–115 255
116–120 253
121–125 233
126–130 219
131–135 201
136–140 194
141–145 176
146–150 157
151–155 147
156–160 151
161–165 159
166–170 137
171–175 128
176–180 126
181–185 98
186–190 114
191–195 100
196–200 90
201–205 71
206–210 98
211–215 70
216–220 86
221–225 61
226–230 58
231–235 53
236–240 64
241–245 39
246–250 46
251–255 51
256–260 36
261–265 44
266–270 35
271–275 30
276–280 33
281–285 35
286–290 36
291–295 26
296–300 26
301–305 31 304
306–310 30
311–315 21
316–320 29
321–325 14
326–330 15
331–335 15
336–340 17
341–345 15
346–350 12
351–355 17
356–360 18
361–365 12
366–370 11
371–375 6
376–380 6
381–385 11
386–390 9
391–395 10
396–400 8
401–405 4
406–410 9
411–415 11
416–420 4
421–425 7
426–430 4
431–435 3
436–440 5
441–445 8
446–450 6
451–455 7
456–460 5
461–465 6
466 2
467+ 99
Download as CSV

Richard D. Vierstra D-index placement in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Plant Science and Agronomy scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Richard D. Vierstra sits on this spectrum.

No. of scientists
50 100 150 200 250
Bar chart with 80 bars. Horizontal axis: D-Index, 30 to 109+. Vertical axis: number of scientists, 0 to 288. Most scientists, 288, have 34 D-Index. The last bar groups every scientist with 109 D-Index or more. The highlighted bar, 109+ D-Index, is where this scientist sits. 30 D-Index: 200 scientists 31 D-Index: 236 scientists 32 D-Index: 253 scientists 33 D-Index: 283 scientists 34 D-Index: 288 scientists 35 D-Index: 240 scientists 36 D-Index: 246 scientists 37 D-Index: 243 scientists 38 D-Index: 247 scientists 39 D-Index: 229 scientists 40 D-Index: 232 scientists 41 D-Index: 230 scientists 42 D-Index: 228 scientists 43 D-Index: 219 scientists 44 D-Index: 193 scientists 45 D-Index: 164 scientists 46 D-Index: 158 scientists 47 D-Index: 143 scientists 48 D-Index: 131 scientists 49 D-Index: 127 scientists 50 D-Index: 122 scientists 51 D-Index: 122 scientists 52 D-Index: 110 scientists 53 D-Index: 102 scientists 54 D-Index: 98 scientists 55 D-Index: 79 scientists 56 D-Index: 85 scientists 57 D-Index: 88 scientists 58 D-Index: 91 scientists 59 D-Index: 62 scientists 60 D-Index: 61 scientists 61 D-Index: 59 scientists 62 D-Index: 54 scientists 63 D-Index: 61 scientists 64 D-Index: 59 scientists 65 D-Index: 58 scientists 66 D-Index: 41 scientists 67 D-Index: 49 scientists 68 D-Index: 39 scientists 69 D-Index: 32 scientists 70 D-Index: 40 scientists 71 D-Index: 47 scientists 72 D-Index: 38 scientists 73 D-Index: 28 scientists 74 D-Index: 29 scientists 75 D-Index: 28 scientists 76 D-Index: 22 scientists 77 D-Index: 21 scientists 78 D-Index: 25 scientists 79 D-Index: 26 scientists 80 D-Index: 19 scientists 81 D-Index: 16 scientists 82 D-Index: 12 scientists 83 D-Index: 16 scientists 84 D-Index: 14 scientists 85 D-Index: 11 scientists 86 D-Index: 17 scientists 87 D-Index: 13 scientists 88 D-Index: 10 scientists 89 D-Index: 12 scientists 90 D-Index: 18 scientists 91 D-Index: 16 scientists 92 D-Index: 16 scientists 93 D-Index: 17 scientists 94 D-Index: 12 scientists 95 D-Index: 8 scientists 96 D-Index: 9 scientists 97 D-Index: 9 scientists 98 D-Index: 11 scientists 99 D-Index: 12 scientists 100 D-Index: 5 scientists 101 D-Index: 8 scientists 102 D-Index: 4 scientists 103 D-Index: 11 scientists 104 D-Index: 5 scientists 105 D-Index: 9 scientists 106 D-Index: 7 scientists 107 D-Index: 4 scientists 108 D-Index: 8 scientists 109+ D-Index: 99 scientists
30 D-Index 109+

This scientist: 118 D-Index — 99th percentile

99% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 109 D-Index or more.

View D-Index distribution as a table
Number of Plant Science and Agronomy scientists by D-index, Research.com 2026 ranking edition. Based on 6,494 ranked scientists.
D-Index Scientists This scientist
30 200
31 236
32 253
33 283
34 288
35 240
36 246
37 243
38 247
39 229
40 232
41 230
42 228
43 219
44 193
45 164
46 158
47 143
48 131
49 127
50 122
51 122
52 110
53 102
54 98
55 79
56 85
57 88
58 91
59 62
60 61
61 59
62 54
63 61
64 59
65 58
66 41
67 49
68 39
69 32
70 40
71 47
72 38
73 28
74 29
75 28
76 22
77 21
78 25
79 26
80 19
81 16
82 12
83 16
84 14
85 11
86 17
87 13
88 10
89 12
90 18
91 16
92 16
93 17
94 12
95 8
96 9
97 9
98 11
99 12
100 5
101 8
102 4
103 11
104 5
105 9
106 7
107 4
108 8
109+ 99 118
Download as CSV

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in United States Leader Award
  • 2018 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 2002 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Overview

Richard D. Vierstra is affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis in the United States. Their research primarily spans several interconnected fields including Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, and Medicine. Within these, their work emphasizes Molecular Biology, Plant Science, Epidemiology, Cell Biology, and Ecology.

The scientist's research focuses on a range of topics centering on cellular and molecular mechanisms, notably:

  • Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
  • Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
  • Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease
  • Light effects on plants
  • Plant Molecular Biology Research
  • Cellular transport and secretion

Vierstra has contributed numerous publications to several frequent venues, including:

  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • eLife
  • The Plant Cell
  • Cell Reports
  • Journal of Cell Science

Significant recent papers authored include:

  • "Selective autophagy regulates heat stress memory in Arabidopsis by NBR1-mediated targeting of HSP90.1 and ROF1" (2020, Autophagy)
  • "Reticulon proteins modulate autophagy of the endoplasmic reticulum in maize endosperm" (2020, eLife)
  • "Autophagy Plays Prominent Roles in Amino Acid, Nucleotide, and Carbohydrate Metabolism during Fixed-Carbon Starvation in Maize" (2020, The Plant Cell)
  • "Plant phytochrome B is an asymmetric dimer with unique signalling potential" (2022, Nature)
  • "AUTOPHAGY-RELATED14 and Its Associated Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Complex Promote Autophagy in Arabidopsis" (2020, The Plant Cell)

The scientist has worked collaboratively with several frequent coauthors, including Fionn McLoughlin, Richard S. Marshall, Faqiang Li, Marisa S. Otegui, and Kuo-En Chen.

Vierstra's contributions have been recognized through awards such as their election as a Member of the National Academy of Sciences in 2018 and being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2002.

Best Publications

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz;Sara Abdelfatah;Mahmoud Abdellatif

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Fabio C. Abdalla;Hagai Abeliovich;Robert T. Abraham

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Kotb Abdelmohsen;Akihisa Abe;Joynal Abedin

  • The HPV-16 E6 and E6-AP complex functions as a ubiquitin-protein ligase in the ubiquitination of p53

    Martin Scheffner;Jon M. Huibregtse;Richard D. Vierstra;Peter M. Howley

  • Genome sequencing and analysis of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon

    John P. Vogel;David F. Garvin;Todd C. Mockler;Jeremy Schmutz

  • The ubiquitin 26S proteasome proteolytic pathway

    Jan Smalle;Richard D. Vierstra

  • The ubiquitin–26S proteasome system at the nexus of plant biology

    Richard D. Vierstra

  • Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

    Daniel J. Klionsky;Kotb Abdelmohsen;Akihisa Abe;Joynal Abedin

  • Phytochrome B integrates light and temperature signals in Arabidopsis

    Martina Legris;Cornelia Klose;E. Sethe Burgie;Cecilia Costigliolo Rojas Rojas

  • The F-box subunit of the SCF E3 complex is encoded by a diverse superfamily of genes in Arabidopsis

    Jennifer M. Gagne;Brian P. Downes;Shin-Han Shiu;Adam M. Durski

  • The ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway, the complex last chapter in the life of many plant proteins

    Richard D. Vierstra

  • The APG8/12-activating enzyme APG7 is required for proper nutrient recycling and senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana.

    Jed H. Doelling;Joseph M. Walker;Eric M. Friedman;Allison R. Thompson

  • Autophagic Nutrient Recycling in Arabidopsis Directed by the ATG8 and ATG12 Conjugation Pathways

    Allison R. Thompson;Jed H. Doelling;Anongpat Suttangkakul;Richard D. Vierstra

  • A light-sensing knot revealed by the structure of the chromophore-binding domain of phytochrome

    Jeremiah R. Wagner;Joseph S. Brunzelle;Katrina T. Forest;Richard D. Vierstra

  • The Cullin-RING Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

    Zhihua Hua;Richard D. Vierstra

  • Autophagy: The Master of Bulk and Selective Recycling.

    Richard S. Marshall;Richard D. Vierstra

  • The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein modification system in Arabidopsis. Accumulation of SUMO1 and -2 conjugates is increased by stress.

    Jasmina Kurepa;Joseph M. Walker;Jan Smalle;Mark M. Gosink

  • Proteolysis in plants: mechanisms and functions.

    Richard D. Vierstra

  • Arabidopsis EIN3-binding F-box 1 and 2 form ubiquitin-protein ligases that repress ethylene action and promote growth by directing EIN3 degradation.

    Jennifer M. Gagne;Jan Smalle;Derek J. Gingerich;Joseph M. Walker

  • The multiubiquitin-chain-binding protein Mcb1 is a component of the 26S proteasome in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and plays a nonessential, substrate-specific role in protein turnover.

    S van Nocker;S Sadis;D M Rubin;M Glickman

  • Soluble, highly fluorescent variants of green fluorescent protein (GFP) for use in higher plants.

    Seth J. Davis;Richard D. Vierstra

Frequent Co-Authors

Marisa S. Otegui
Marisa S. Otegui University of Wisconsin–Madison
Seth J. Davis
Seth J. Davis University of York
Lloyd M. Smith
Lloyd M. Smith University of Wisconsin–Madison
Sergio Lavandero
Sergio Lavandero University of Chile
Jorge J. Casal
Jorge J. Casal University of Buenos Aires
Evelina Gatti
Evelina Gatti Aix-Marseille University
Michael H. Glickman
Michael H. Glickman Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Daniel Finley
Daniel Finley Harvard University
Beth Levine
Beth Levine The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Peter H. Quail
Peter H. Quail University of California, Berkeley

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Biology and Biochemistry in the USA opens up a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Many students look for related online programs that offer flexibility and faster completion times. For instance, specialized healthcare certificates are becoming more accessible. If you are interested in mental health nursing, you may consider the shortest pmhnp certificate program, which can quickly lead to new career opportunities in psychiatric-mental health.

Similarly, advanced nursing roles are in high demand. The 12-month fnp program online helps current nurses become Family Nurse Practitioners in about a year. For those passionate about nutrition and health science, pursuing an accelerated nutrition degree online can provide a quick and affordable route into clinical nutrition, sports science, and wellness careers.

Registered Nurses (RNs) looking for career advancement without leaving their jobs will find the best online rn to bsn programs both convenient and effective. These options reflect the diverse, interdisciplinary pathways available to Biology and Biochemistry students in the USA—making it easier than ever to specialize or advance your career entirely online.

Best Scientists Citing Richard D. Vierstra

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles