Congratulations to Sam Josiah (PhD candidate) who was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student in Horticulture award from the American Society of Horticultural Science. This prestigious award is "based on academic achievement, quality of thesis or dissertation research, leadership abilities, participation in departmental or program activities and service to the department."
We are currently recruiting a Ph.D. student todo research on Anthracnose resistance in cucurbits. The research includes trait discovery and molecular breeding. The ideal candidate would have an undergraduate and M.S. degree in plant breeding, genetics, horticulture or related field. Anticipated start date is Spring 2024. Interested parties should contact Dr. McGregor.
The Cucurbit Breeding, Genetics and Genomics lab (https://mcgregorlab.uga.edu/) at the University of Georgia (Athens) searches for an energetic and creative postdoc. The applicant will participate in cucurbit breeding and genetics for resistance to whitefly transmitted viruses as part of a team of molecular biologists, plant pathologists, entomologists and extension faculty in the southeastern USA. The applicant will work on identifying resistance loci and genes, functional analysis of candidate genes, and introgression of resistance into elite material.
Preferred Qualifications
· Ph.D. in plant breeding, plant pathology, molecular genetics, genomics or other relevant field, and
· An interest and experience in collaborative research.
· Proven experience with genomics, bioinformatics and gene-editing is strongly preferred.
· An ability to work under supervision of, and with people of different cultural backgrounds is essential.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
· Conduct research to identify and introgress whitefly transmitted disease resistance loci into cucurbits.
· Supervise undergraduate students.
· Contribute to the overall cucurbit breeding program.
· Additional duties as assigned.
Interested parties should submit their application at UGA Jobs (https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/324561).
We introgressed gummy stem blight (GSB) resistance loci from C. amarus, a crop wild relative of watermelon. This year we are evaluating these lines in the field!
First we grow a lot op plates of Stagonosporopsis citrulli, the main causal agent of GSB in Georgia.
We also installed a mist system to ensure the leaf surfaces stay wet to encourage spore germination.
Congratulations to Jorge Reyes Pineda who obtained his Ph.D. in Horticulture in May. Some pictures from Commencement in Sanford Stadium with proud advisor and family. Well done Jorge and all the best.
Congratulations to Douglas Vines, who won 1st place for his poster entitled "Watermelon Fruit Shape associated with allelic variation in ClSUN25-26-27a" at the 2022 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting in Baltimore. Great job Douglas!
This weekend we were honored to join the Goldman lab at University of Wisconsin-Madison for their 17th Annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta. We had a great time and hopefully this is the start of the annual intercollegiate Giant Pumpkin Regatta. Hope to see everybody in Athens next year!
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Read all about Samikshya in CAES Cultivate. Samikshya joined our lab at the beginning of 2021 and is already making a big impact!
