Welcome
The Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics is dedicated to the genetic improvement of crop plants for the benefit of society through the development of novel breeding methodologies and the discovery and deployment of economically important genes. Our department has a rich history dating from 1907 just after the establishment of the College of Agriculture in 1904. Our faculty are engaged in diverse activities ranging from the molecular study of crop plant genomes to development of superior crop varieties worldwide. Plant breeding is an integrative science that combines the knowledge, information, and expertise from a range of disciplines to produce unique germplasm and/or varieties and new knowledge. Our world-class research programs involve development of improved gene mapping methods, functional genomics, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics applications, utilization of wild germplasm, gene cloning strategies, genetics of crop quality, disease and insect resistance, and new breeding strategies. Students in the Field of Plant Breeding represent diverse interests and come from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. We invite you to browse our website and contact us for further information. -Mark Sorrells, Chair
Announcements
September 12, 2008 USDA National Needs Fellowships The field of plant breeding has been awarded 3 USDA National Needs Fellowship for Ph.D. candidates interested in combining plant breeding, crop genomics, and bioinformatics. These fellowships are limited to U.S. citizens/U.S. nationals. For additional information , see our graduate program section.
January 7, 2008
Assistant or Associate Professor of Plant Breeding & Genetics (tenure track) Vegetable Breeding and Genetics position now available. Click here [MS Word] for details.
November 16, 2007
Elizabeth D. Earle Wins a CALS 2007 Outstanding Faculty Award.
November 12, 2007
Maria Salas and Lus Maas receive First Place and Third Place selections in the C-1 Grad Student Poster Competition.
November 5, 2007
Dr. Susan McCouch receives The Golden Sickle Award.
October 31, 2007
DuPont awards funds for support of two Ph.D. candidates studying plant breeding at Cornell. Click here for financial assistance information.
October 9, 2007
Munger/Murphy Award Recipients, Kari Perez and Maria Salas Fernandez (PDF)
July 9, 2007
Adam Famoso and Seth Murray win the 2007 Barbara McClintock Award
January 31, 2007
Plant Breeding & Genetics postdoctoral scientist Moira Sheehan has been selected by Nature as one of four winners from around the world to write a monthly column about their experience as postdocs.
November 10, 2006
Robert L. Plaisted and Susan R. McCouch Win the CALS 2006 Outstanding Faculty Awards
June 15, 2006
Liza Conrad wins the 2006 Barbara McClintock Award
Upcoming Events
September 23, 2008
12:00-1:30 PM
Transportation will be provided between B/E and the FH; details to follow by email.
Plant Breeding and Genetics Welcome Picnic Hosted by Synapsis and the Field House Crew
September 30, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"The Cornell Peru Project: The history of Cornell's efforts to modernize agriculture in Vicos, Peru"
Billie Jean Isbell
Professor Emerita
Department of Anthropology
October 14, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
Service Awards and Lab Introductions
Plant Breeding and Genetics Ice Cream Social
October 21, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Flowering time studies in rice: dissection of transgressive early flowering QTL dth1.1 and expression analysis of flowering time genes"
Luis Maas
PhD Candidate
Plant Breeding and Genetics
October 28, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Affirming Plant Breeding As The Purpose-Driven Science" (Student Invited Speaker)
Gebiza Ejeta
Professor, Department of Agronomy
Purdue University
November 4, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Functional genomics approaches for identifying maize genes associated with improved nitrogen utilization"
Stephen Moose
Associate Professor, Crop Sciences
University of Illinois
November 11, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Large scale protein interaction mapping: moving towards dynamic networks"
Robert Ewing
Assistant Professor
Case Western Reserve University
November 18, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Genetic mechanisms underlying selection response in maize"
Jode Edwards
Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS
Iowa State University
November 25, 2008
12:20-1:10 PM
135 Emerson Hall
"Designing a breeding program for nitrogen efficient maize"
Kelvin Grant
Research Scientist
Pioneer Hi-Bred International