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Ph.D.: Pennsylvania State University (1987)
Year Appointed: 1986
Rank: Professor and Interim Department Head
Primary Responsibilities: Administration, education and research; Forage legume and turf grass breeding, genetics and seed production; application of quantitative genetics to plant breeding.

Research Interests:
My responsibilities are to conduct research on the genetics and breeding methodologies of forage legumes, turf grasses, and native legumes; to conduct a germplasm enhancement and varietal development program for important forage crops and turf grasses; and to develop management strategies which maximize the profitability and sustainability of grass and legume seed production in northern Minnesota. My current teaching responsibilities are Agronomy 5021: Introduction to Plant Breeding and Agronomy 5121:  Applied Experimental Design.

In January 2005, I became Interim Head of the Department. I have administrative responsibility for the Department which has 24 faculty and 9 adjunct faculty in St. Paul and 5 faculty and 4 adjunct faculty located at 4 Research and Outreach Centers across the state. Diverse research programs in agroecology and cropping systems; breeding, biotechnology and genomics; bioenergy, new crops and new crop uses provide the foundation for teaching and outreach education programs that serve both campus-based students and other learners and clientele around the state and region.

Undergraduate students majoring in Applied Plant Science or Agricultural Industries and Marketing may select Agronomy and Plant Genetics as their "home" department. The strong curricula offerings are enhanced through internships, research studies, experiential learning and international travel opportunities, and one-on-one mentoring by faculty, with a goal of preparing students to be leaders in their respective careers. The graduate program in Applied Plant Sciences includes specialization tracks in agronomy/agroecology and plant breeding/plant molecular genetics.

The department has significant research programs addressing ecological and management issues of current prevalent cropping systems in Minnesota and development of strategies that add cropping options and diversity into these systems. Another area of strength results from the combination of applied breeding, molecular genetics and genomics for the improvement of alfalfa, bluegrass, barley, corn, various perennial legumes, oat, ryegrass, soybean, wheat and other potential crops. Extension and outreach educational programs are based on information developed from applied research studies conducted in collaboration with faculty and staff at the Research and Outreach Centers (ROC), from on-farm trials or demonstration plots, and from regional collaborations and sources.