Sam is an environmental plant physiologist. He explores the physiology of leaves and how it influences the performance of plants. His research aligns with LEC's exceptional photosynthesis research groups, that are led by Elizabete Carmo-Silva, Marjorie Lundgren and Doug Orr, and are associated with Steve Long and Martin Parry.

Sam has particular expertise in how plant leaves respond to microclimate, gas exchange measurements of photosynthesis (Taylor & Long, 2019; Ely et al., 2021), and understanding genetic variation in leaf performance (Taylor et al., 2016). Key publications have addressed:

• The recovery of photosynthesis after shading (Taylor & Long 2017; Taylor et al., 2020; Taylor et al., 2022; Long et al., 2022)
• Impacts of the evolution of C₄ photosynthesis on the physiological ecology of grasses (Taylor et al., 2010; Taylor et al., 2012; Taylor et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2019; Baird et al., 2021)
• How C₃ and C₄ grasses respond differently to drought (Taylor et al., 2011; Taylor et al., 2014)
• Genetic variation in the biofuel crop switchgrass and the related model Panicum hallii (Taylor et al., 2016; Lovell et al., 2016; Lowry et al., 2015a, Lowry et al., 2015b).

Sam has worked at Bowdoin College, The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Sheffield. He obtained his PhD from the University of York, and has published collaborative work with teams from South Africa, China, Australia, Mexico, the USA, and the European Union.