LABORATORY PERSONNEL


Hussein Abdel-Haleem
Postdoc
hussein@uga.edu
706-542-0924

Through use of both molecular breeding and functional genomics, my research focuses on identifying genes controlling slow wilting and other yield traits in an effort to improve drought tolerance and yield under stress conditions. We eventually hope to use this strategy to pyramid fibrous rooting and slow wilting QTL into soybean.

Jennie Alvernaz
Research Coordinator
jalverna@uga.edu
706-583-8118

I coordinate and supervise molecular lab staff and the grant-funded budget to provide research support for personnel conducting molecular projects within the program. I also oversee research on a variety of annual and miscellaneous molecular genetics projects and maintain the website.

Alex Bynum
Undergraduate Laboratory Helper
calexanderbynum@yahoo.com
706-542-0915

I maintain laboratory reagents, glassware and help with data entry.

Earl Baxter
Research Technician
earlb@uga.edu
706-227-7952

I have responsibility for all greenhouse experiments, and maintenance of the Coldroom inventory. I help in field planting, harvesting, and collection of field data.

Roger Boerma
Principal Investigator
rboerma@uga.edu
706-542-0927

My responsibilities include: i) development of superior yielding, multiple pest resistant soybean cultivars, ii) development of molecular technologies to improve the efficiency of soybean cultivar development, iii) identification and characterization of useful genetic variation for soybean improvement, iv) training of graduate students and post doctoral fellows in molecular breeding and genetics, v) teaching a graduate course entitled Quantitative Aspects of Molecular Breeding, vi) program implementation for the Center for Soybean Improvement, and vii) coordination of academic research for the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies.

Herschel Chambers
Research Technician
beeza44@yahoo.com
706-227-7950


I'm involved primarily in field and greenhouse aspects of the program but also have experience in the DNA lab. I help with seed packaging, planting, harvesting, cross-pollination, equipment maintenance, and supervising student workers.

Chris Collins
Laboratory Helper
enophile_77@yahoo.com
706-227-7950

I'm a full-time temporary worker in the seed lab. I'm involved in cleaning, sorting and cataloging seed as well as planting and harvest.

Binh Dao
Laboratory Helper
binh@uga.edu
706-227-7950

I'm a student worker in the seed lab involved in cleaning, sorting, packaging and cataloging seed as well as planting, field maintenance and harvesting.

Eva Duvall
Undergraduate Research Assistant
eduvall@uga.edu
706-542-0915

I'm a senior biology major with an emphasis in pre-medicine and a minor in Spanish. I work with Michele Foo on various insect QTL projects

Steve Finnerty
Research Coordinator
slfinn@uga.edu
706-542-8712

I oversee the nematode greenhouse and laboratory screening program. The primary focus is on the soybean cyst and root-knot nematodes. My responsibilities include the greenhouse assays and data analysis.

Michele Samuel-Foo
Graduate Student
michfoo@uga.edu
706-542-7589

I'm a PhD candidate in the department of Entomology. My current projects include: 1. Confirmation of possible SIR-QTL on linkage group B2 associated with antixenosis/antibiosis to lepidopteran insects in an elite soybean population. 2. Assessment of "Benning Value Added Lines" for vulnerability to defoliation by corn earworn and soybean looper as a component of risk adverse pest management (RAPM). 3. Soybean pubescence study

Bokeun Ha
Post-doctoral associate

ha@uga.edu
706-542-0915

My research involves discovery and fine-mapping of QTL in soybean for traits of economic importance, and subsequent development of SNP assays to detect these QTL.

Donna Harris
Research Professional

dkharri@uga.edu
706-227-7951

I'm responsible for managing all aspects of the Asian soybean rust resistance initiative. I assist Dr. Boerma in the management of other extramurally funded soybean breeding and genetics research projects, as well as in the preparing of grants and quarterly reports. I am also pursuing my PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics.

Aaron Hoskins
Graduate Student
ahoskins@uga.edu
706-542-0915

I'm a PhD student working to map Frogeye Leafspot genes in six Chinese plant introductions.

David Hulburt
Research Coordinator
dhulburt@uga.edu
706-583-8118

I'm working on identifying a QTL associated with low palmitic acid from C1726 using a cross of Cook x C1726. Other responsibilities include computer and equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and development of new lab techniques, as well as training researchers on molecular equipment.

Erin Leggett
Research Technician
erinleggett@hotmail.com
706-542-0915

I assure compliance with chemical and hazardous waste utilization and management, track our operating budget, as well as overseeing part-time student workers. I am currently working on two research projects: confirmation of a stress QTL and a canopy wilting mapping population.

Ben Medina
Laboratory Helper
benm@uga.edu
706-227-7950

I'm a student worker in the seed lab involved in cleaning, sorting, packaging and cataloging seed as well as planting, field maintenance and harvesting.

Gina Rowan
Research Coordinator
growan@uga.edu
706-227-7953

My duties include experiment design, data management, and analysis in Agrobase. I also conduct trail management on dataloggers and palmtops, planting and harvesting of research plots, recording data throughout the growing season on research trials and cross-pollination in the field and greenhouse.

Zack Shearin
Graduate Student
zpsheari@uga.edu
706-542-0915

I'm a PhD student working on mapping and developing breeder friendly markers for genes that condition resistance to southern stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis). I'm also comparing three different methods of selection for high oleic acid content in soybean seeds.

Taylor Mildenhall
Laboratory Helper
t.j.mildenhall@gmail.com
706-227-7950

I'm a full-time temporary worker in the seed lab. I'm involved in cleaning, sorting and cataloging seed as well as planting and harvest.

Caleb Warrington
Graduate Student
cvw4@uga.edu
706-542-0915

I'm a PhD student working on molecular breeding projects aimed at improving the amino acid quality in soybean as well as finding ways to decrease yield drag associated with our previously mapped insect resistance QTLs.

Dale Wood
Research Coordinator
dwood@uga.edu
706-227-7954

I coordinate the workflow of ongoing soybean genetic breeding projects in the laboratory, greenhouse, at field stations in Georgia, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. I also supervise and train personnel in research techniques to conduct field and greenhouse research as well as design breeding and genetic experiments for the field, laboratory, and greenhouse. It is my responsibility to manage the annual grant-funded budget and prepare preliminary reports of technical and scientific publications on cultivar performance and cultivar releases.

Shuquan Zhu
Research Scientist

szhu@uga.edu
706-542-0924

My duties include coordinating research projects with the PI to improve oil quality, genetic diversity, drought tolerance and insect resistance in soybean. Additionally, I prepare experimental design, data collection and analysis, and write quarterly reports to USB as well as journal publications. I assist with management of the soybean breeding program and training graduate students.