University of South Dakota

I teach courses in the areas of cell biology, cellular physiology, and plant physiology.

My research focuses on understanding mechansims of cellular dehydration tolerance. I use seeds and moss to study how water loss affects cell structure and how some cells are adapted to survive the loss of almost all their water. I also do research on seed longevity, which is dependent upon processes that occur in the dried tissues. Understanding the physical and chemical changes that occur in dehydrated cells may help us improve the longevity of seeds and other genetic resources when they are stored.

• Post-doctoral Research, University of California-Riverside, 1992
• Ph D, Botany/Plant Physiology, Cornell University, 1991
• BS, Organismal Biology, The University of Kansas, 1984

• A molecular genetic approach to assess dehydrin-membrane interactions during desiccation and rehydration, USDA-NIFA, (2008 - 2011)
• High profile junior faculty development activities: mentors to USD undergraduate students at the 2007 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), and co-director of the USD U. Discover Scholars Program, Bush Foundation, (2007 - 2007)
• Determination of the concentration of solutes in multi-lamellar membranes at low hydration using SANS, AINSE, (2003 - 2006)
• Membrane Damage and Protection during Desiccation of Pea Embryo Protoplasts, USDA-NRI, (2003 - 2006)
• A physical approach to optimizing storage conditions for seed embryos, NSF-AAAS-WISC, (2002 - 2002)
• Mechanism of damage and protection of desiccated and cryopreserved cells and organelles, USDA-ARS, (2000 - 2001)
• The Effect of Vitrified Sugars on Membrane Lipids, NSF-EPSCoR, (1995 - 1998)
• The Role of Vitrified Sugars in Plant Desiccation Tolerance , USDA-NRI, (1993 - 1997)
• Creating New Undergraduate Research Mentors at the University of South Dakota, Bush Foundation, (1996 - 1996)
• Creating New Undergraduate Research Mentors at the University of South Dakota, USD Bush Mini-Grant Program, (1996 - 1996)

• Garvey, C. J., Lenne, T., Koster, K., Kent, B., Bryant, G., Phospholipid membrane protection by sugar molecules during dehydration -- insights into molecular mechanisms using scattering techniques, International Journal of Membrane Sciences.
• Walters, C., Volk, G., Koster, K., Stanwood, P., Towill, L., (2011), Long-term survival of cryopreserved germplasm: Contributing factors and assessments from 30 year old experiments. , ISHS, vol. 908, pp. 113-120.
• Koster, K., Balsamo, R. A., Espinoza, C., Oliver, M. J., (2010), Desiccation sensitivity and tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens: assessing limits and damage, Plant Growth Regulation , vol. 62, pp. 293-302.
• Lenne, T., Garvey, C. J., Koster, K., Bryant, G., (2010), Kinetics of the lamellar gel-fluid transition in phosphatidylcholine membranes in the presence of sugars. , Chemistry and Physics of Lipids , vol. 163, pp. 236-242.
• Oliver, M. J., Cushman, J. C., Koster, K., (2010), Dehydration tolerance in plants, Springer-Verlag, vol. 639, iss. 1st, pp. 3-24.
• Lenne, T., Garvey, C. J., Koster, K., Bryant, G., (2009), The effects of sugars on lipid bilayers during dehydration: SAXS/WAXS measurements and quantitative model. , vol. 113, pp. 2486-2491.
• Lenne, T., Bryant, G., Holcomb, R., Koster, K., (2007), How much solute is needed to inhibit the fluid-gel membrane phase transition at low hydration? , Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Biomembranes , vol. 1768, pp. 1019-1022.
• Walters, C., Koster, K., (2007), Structural dynamics and desiccation damage in plant reproductive organs, Blackwell Publishing, Inc..
• Mo, B., Koster, K., (2006), Changes in lipoxygenase isoforms during germination and early seedling growth of Pisum sativum L. , Seed Science Research , vol. 16, pp. 97-106.
• Koster, K., Bryant, G., (2006), Dehydration in model membranes and protoplasts: contrasting effects at low, intermediate and high hydrations. , CABI, pp. 219-234.
• Lenne, T., Bryant, G., Garvey, C. J., Leiderling, U., Koster, K., (2006), Location of sugars in multilamellar membranes at low hydration. , Physica B: Condensed Matter, vol. 385-386, pp. 862-864.
• Halperin, S. J., Koster, K., (2006), Sugar effects on membrane damage during desiccation of pea embryo protoplasts. , Journal of Experimental Botany , vol. 57, pp. 2303-2311.

• Harrington Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences, 2012
• Vice-President, Alpha Chapter of South Dakota, Phi Beta Kappa, 2012
• Richard and Sharon Cutler Award in Liberal Arts, USD College of Arts & Sciences, 2007
• Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Teaching Excellence, University of South Dakota, 2006
• Chair, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2004
• Minority Affairs Committee Member, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2004
• Secretary, International Society for Seed Science, 2004
• Vice-Chair, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2003
• President, Alpha Chapter of South Dakota, Phi Beta Kappa, 2001
• Secretary-Treasurer, Midwestern Section, American Society of Plant Biologists, 2001
• Biology Councilor, Council on Undergraduate Research, 2000
• Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of South Dakota, 1998
• Biology Councilor, Council on Undergraduate Research, 1997
• Nomination for Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of South Dakota, 1997
• Sigma Xi, 1988
• Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation, 1985
• A.D. White Fellow, Cornell University, 1984
• Graduated with Highest Distinction and Departmental Honors, The University of Kansas, 1984
• Phi Beta Kappa, 1984
• Phi Kappa Phi, 1984
• Chancellor'S Club Scholar, University of Kansas, 1980
• National Merit Scholar, 1980

• Koster, K. (2012, September). Connections, Conundrums & the Meaning of Life. Presented at the 60th Annual Harrington Lecture, USD, Vermillion.
• Walters, C., Hill, L., Crane, J., Koster, K., Perez, H., Ballesteros, D. (2012, January). Some thoughts about the desiccation tolerance continuum and the basis for “intermediate” seed physiologies. Presented at the 6th International Workshop on Desiccation Tolerance and Sensitivity in Seeds and Vegetative Plant Tissues, South Africa.
• Bryant, G., Koster, K. (2012, January). Understanding Membrane Damage and Protection during Cellular Dehydration. Presented at the 6th International Workshop on Desiccation Tolerance and Sensitivity in Seeds and Vegetative Plant Tissues, South Africa.
• Koster, K., Niemann, Z. R., Oliver, M. J. (2011, October). ABA induces desiccation tolerance in Physcomitrella patens. . Presented at the Plant Signaling in Response to Abiotic and Biotic Stress, Lincoln, NE.
• Koster, K., Oliver, M. J., Balsamo, R. A., Niemann, Z. R. (2011, August). Studying cellular dehydration tolerance using the moss Physcomitrella patens . Presented at the Plant Biology 2011, Minneapolis, MN.
• Walters, C., Hill, L. M., Koster, K., Bender, J. (2011, April). Comparisons of seed longevity under simulated aging and genebank storage conditions using Brassicaceae seeds. Presented at the 10th Conference of the ISSS, Bahia, Brazil.
• Niemann, Z. R., Koster, K. (2011, April). Desiccation and freezing tolerance of a dehydrin knockout line of the moss Physcomitrella patens. Presented at the IdeaFest, USD.
• Koster, K., Balsamo, R. A., Espinoza, C., Oliver, M. J. (2010, August). Desiccation sensitivity and tolerance in the moss Physcomitrella patens: assessing limits and damage. . Presented at the Plant Biology 2010, Montreal, Canada.