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Educating Tomorrow’s Plant Breeders: From Genomes to Cultivars
Rationale
Currently, genomes and cultivars are largely viewed as separate entities. Existing graduate programs in genomics, in bioinformatics, and in plant breeding have led to students well-educated and trained in each of these individual areas. Given that genomics and bioinformatics are two disciplines that have unified the biological sciences, we believe they will also become driving forces in future plant improvement.
This USDA National Needs Fellowship program in APS aims to educate and train doctoral students in the broad spectrum of genomics to applied plant breeding. Specifically, this fellowship program is designed to educate and train Ph.D. students who (1) have a solid background in the fundamental science of plant genomics, (2) comprehend the use of modern tools in genomics and bioinformatics, and (3) understand ways of applying this knowledge and these tools in cultivar development.
Fellows will take courses in genomics, bioinformatics, and plant breeding as well as in supporting areas. Thesis research topics and advisors will be matched to Fellows’ interests. Fellows will have a much-needed grounding in a multi-disciplinary, integrative approach that will characterize future plant improvement, and will view genomes-to-cultivars as a continuous spectrum where improvements at any one point in the spectrum have an impact on other points in the continuum.
Current Fellows
This program currently funds two Fellows. Jon Massman (M.S. University of Minnesota) is advised by Dr. Rex Bernardo and is conducting research in exploiting cheap and abundant molecular markers in corn hybrid breeding. Liana Nice (B.S. Cornell University) is advised by Dr. Gary J. Muehlbauer and is conducting research in small-grains genomics. We shall recruit additional Fellows as additional funding becomes available.
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Integrative Biosciences for Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems
Food and Agricultural Systems.
The University of Minnesota-TC is recruiting a group of 6-8 students to join an interdisciplinary graduate training program in Integrative Biosciences for Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems. Our program approaches agriculture, and related systems of food, water, energy and land use as ‘coupled human-natural systems’ (CHANs). CHANs are defined by feedback and interaction between biophysical and social aspects of agroecosystems; these interactions are at the root of many sustainability challenges. We aim to train scientists to apply agricultural science to address complex and controversial problems in agroecosystems, such as ‘producing both food and fuel without conflict, development of multifunctional landscapes, and management of risks from climate change. Our program aims to produce scientists well-versed in a relevant agricultural science discipline and willing and able to meet CHANs challenges through engagement with broader knowledge systems and multi-stakeholder networks. The program features innovative courses that emphasize experiential, systemic and integrative learning to train students in new methods that bring intellectual rigor and practical effectiveness to ‘the systems approach’, including transdisciplinary research platforms focused on agricultural CHANs. The training program is a collaboration with Monsanto Company; students will have the opportunity to interact and share their research with Monsanto scientists. We offer graduate fellowships (covering tuition and other expenses of graduate study and providing a competitive stipend); several students will be supported by the USDA National Needs Fellowship program. To apply, please contact Dr. Nicholas Jordan, jorda020@umn.edu, 612 625 3754.
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