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Consultant’s work has addressed dimensions of plant genome biology relevant toward a more bio-based economy, balancing increased food security with expanded bioenergy supplies while mitigating the challenges of a looming worldwide water crisis. He and the members of the unit he heads have pioneered and implemented tools and methods for accelerating crop improvement, also clarifying plant evolutionary history. Their impacts range from on-farm benefits such as the first peanut cultivar developed using DNA markers, to insights into fundamental questions such as the role of polyploidy in crop productivity, and include new tools for improving many crops. His unit actively pursues research opportunities to link increased fundamental knowledge to improved human lives.

Consultant has 25 years professional experience including both private and public sector work and consulting experience; holds highest title available to research personnel at major US university where he is employed (Regents Professor), also serving as administrative head of his unit; has secured more than US$48 million in competitive grants and published more than 320 refereed scientific publications cited more than 18,000 times; has led or participated in numerous international teams in successful completion of ‘big science’ projects; has written or edited 5 books, 74 book chapters, 12 popular press articles, 10 patent applications, and delivered more than 200 professional presentations; has mentored more than 50 graduate students, 50 postdoctoral scientists, 120 undergrads, and 11 K-12 teachers.

Consultant has conducted and/or overseen more than 20 years of research in genome biology (largely in flowering plants but also including animals, insects, bacteria and viruses), including genetic mapping, physical mapping, genome sequencing, genome analysis and comparison. Consultant has conducted and/or overseen more than 20 years of research in genetic analysis of complex traits of agricultural importance using DNA markers in a wide range of crop plants and botanical models, including monocots and dicots, diploids, autopolyploids and allopolyploids, of economic importance for a wide range of purposes. DNA marker based studies have been a focus.

Consultant conducted and/or oversaw development of first and most detailed genetic map for cotton and its application to genetic analysis of complex traits of agricultural importance using DNA markers, followed by physical mapping, reference genome sequencing, genome analysis and comparison, and diversity analysis of cotton. Consultant conducted and/or oversaw development of most detailed genetic map for sorghum and its application to genetic analysis of complex traits of agricultural importance using DNA markers, followed by physical mapping, reference genome sequencing, genome analysis and comparison, and diversity analysis of sorghum.

Consultant has conducted and/or overseen genetic mapping of sugarcane, genetic analysis of complex traits of agricultural importance using DNA markers, and participated in physical mapping, sequencing, and genome analysis and comparison. Consultant was trained in conventional plant breeding, has trained others who now run conventional breeding programs, and works with conventional plant breeders toward development and application of DNA markers in breeding programs.

Independent consultant to Mendel Biotechnology Inc., and associated Mendel Bioenergy Seeds, later appointed to scientific advisory board of both.External Advisory Board, CGRUIB program, Southwest University, Chongqing PR China; CGRUIB program aims to genetically improve the major field and horticultural crops by utilizing abundant plant resources in mountainous regions of the Southwest China and by applying new theories, technologies and methodologies from modern plant biologyScientific advisor to Rockefeller Foundation, South Asia program on Resilient Crops for Water-Limited Environments.Scientific advisor to SUCEST: sugarcane genome initiative funded by FAPESP (state of Sao Paulo, Brazil)Scientific advisor, DNA Landmarks (startup biotechnology firm)