Overview

I am interested in use of plant tissue culture and gene transfer techniques to improve crop plants and in the appropriate deployment and public acceptance of materials altered in these ways. I entered the phased retirement program in the fall term of 2007.

Research Focus

My gene transfer work has involved collaboration with molecular biologists who provide gene constructs for use in my program and with plant breeders, pathologists and entomologists who do greenhouse and field-tests with the materials developed in the lab. A long-term area of work has been development of Bt-transgenic Brassicas for use in studies of resistance management strategies. As part of such work my lab has developed improved tissue culture procedures for plant regeneration and transformation. A current area of interest is production of doubled haploid lines for rapid recovery of stable inbred lines, especially in onion and melon. The haploid project is based on close collaboration with breeders working with these crops. Manipulation of nuclear and organellar genomes of Brassicas by protoplast fusion has been a major area of work in previous years, with particular emphasis on cytoplasmic male sterility. Now that I am on phased retirement, I have ended my research program and am focusing on teaching and service.

Outreach and Extension Focus

Materials from my lab have been distributed to many seed companies and I interact with breeders from the public and private sector, both individually and as a group in connection with the Vegetable Breeding Institute. I attend and participate in the annual Vegetable Breeding Field Day in August of each year.

Teaching Focus

I offer students up-to-date concepts and experience in plant cell & tissue culture and to help them understand the technical and societal aspects of plant genetic engineering.

Additional Links

• Research
• Link to CALS Research and Impact
• Link to Research & Expertise Across Cornell

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