Plant genetic research projects within our programs are often developed in conjunction with advisory committees of contributing industry representatives, University faculty, and USDA research scientists.   Our programs conduct research to address a number of ‘grand challenges’.  

• Bio-feedstock production and development
• Chemical & biological constituents in the environment and their impact on human and ecosystem health
• Climate change
• Harnessing plant breeding and genetics to identify and develop economically important crop traits, including resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses
• Landscape-scale management for sustainable plant production and ecosystems

Efforts to address ‘grand challenges’ in agriculture necessitate interdisciplinary (biological and physical) and trans-disciplinary (biological and physical, and economic and social) approaches to problem solving.  The formation of the Partnership for Research & Education in Plant Breeding and Genetics brings together university and industry faculty and scientists from diverse disciplines to create a training platform to develop young scientists to assume leadership roles in agricultural research and education.