Experience

Arizona Plant Breeders, Inc.

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Research and Development

  • Sep 2014 - Present

  As a leader in the field of cereals genetics, breeding and varietal development, I am responsible for providing strategic, operational and research direction for all aspects of durum wheat, spring wheat, triticale, spelt and barley. My focus is on ensuring that all research and development is conducted within budget and adheres to the best agronomic testing and research practices.My role involves setting research objectives and identifying the most efficient and effective ways to achieve them. I work with a team of scientists and researchers to conduct genetic and agronomic evaluations, evaluate new breeding materials and develop improved varieties of cereals. I also collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure that research findings are translated into practical solutions that meet the needs of farmers and industry.I am responsible for leading research projects, overseeing field trials and providing guidance to researchers and technicians. I also play an active role in the review of experimental data, the interpretation of results and the preparation of research reports.In addition, I am responsible for managing the budget for the cereals research program, developing and implementing a strategic plan, and ensuring that all projects are completed on time and within budget.Ultimately, my goal is to support the development of new and improved cereal varieties in all major target markets in the US, Europe and Asia that are more productive, disease resistant, and better suited to changing environmental conditions. I strive to work with farmers and industry partners to ensure that the benefits of this research are fully realized and contribute to food security and economic growth in the agricultural sector.

• Breeder and Director of Laboratory Operations

  • Sep 2014 - May 2016

  My primary objective is to develop superior quality, high-yielding, and identity-preserved durum wheat varieties suitable for cultivation in the south and central lowlands of Arizona, the Imperial Valley in California, and the European and Asian markets. Additionally, I aim to meet market demands and improve yields of important cereal crops by utilizing advanced research techniques in genetics and agronomy.



North Dakota State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Research Associate

  • Jan 2014 - Sep 2014

  My objective was to conduct genome-wide association mapping for resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Durum Wheat by utilizing a comprehensive collection of 225 experimental lines that reflect the genetic diversity of North America, the Middle East, and Asia. My objective was to conduct genome-wide association mapping for resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Durum Wheat by utilizing a comprehensive collection of 225 experimental lines that reflect the genetic diversity of North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

• Genetics Instructor

  • Jan 2009 - Jan 2013

  As a genetics instructor I was responsible for a variety of tasks including delivering lectures, leading discussion sections, and grading assignments. I also held office hours to meet with students and provide additional support, supervised and trained undergraduate teaching assistants, proctored exams, and enforced academic integrity policies. Additionally, I was a resource for students, helping them with course materials and study skills, and handled administrative tasks related to the course such as grading and data collection.

• Graduate Research Assistant, PhD

  • 2009 - 2013

  In my Ph.D. research, I employed High-Throughput Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) that govern Cadmium content in Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.). Additionally, I employed Association Mapping to pinpoint the Cadmium Uptake Locus in Durum Wheat Advanced Breeding Lines. Through validation of SSR markers, I confirmed the linkage to a major gene controlling Cadmium accumulation in Durum Wheat.

• Graduate Research Assistant, MS

  • Jan 2006 - Jan 2009

  The main aim of my Master's project is to examine and contrast different techniques for evaluating pasta quality and to establish the relative impact of cultivar and environment on quality characteristics by utilizing various quality assessment methods such as Alveograph, Mixograph, Farinograph and Glutograph.

• Visiting Scientist

  • Mar 2003 - Aug 2006

  As a visiting scientist, I took charge of the doubled haploid breeding program of durum wheat. The majority of the doubled haploid populations were created for utilization in various genetic studies of different agronomic and end-use quality characteristics. Additionally, I developed durum wheat lines that have low Cadmium levels and are resistant to Fusarium Head Blight.