Robert A. Nilan Endowed Chair in Barley Research and Education
Associate Professor
Contact Information
215 Johnson Hall
PO Box 646420
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
Phone: 509-335-3644
Profile Links
Crop and Soil Science | ResearchGate | Google Scholar
Education
- 2009 – Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Ph.D. Crop Sciences
- 2004 – Washington State University, Pullman, WA, M.S. Crop Sciences
- 1998 – Washington State University, Pullman, WA, B.S. Genetics and Cell Biology, minors in Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology
- 1994 – Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA, A.A degree
Research
The focus of my breeding program as the Robert A. Nilan Endowed Chair in Barley Research and Education is the development of high-quality spring and winter malting barley varieties that are widely adapted to diverse regions of Washington State. We will also continue developing varieties for the feed and food markets as well. My basic research projects utilize molecular genetics, genomics and functional analysis tools to explore the mechanisms underlying biotic and abiotic stress resistances in barley. The genes and signaling pathways my team is focusing on are important to production in the growing regions of Washington State and the greater inland northwest. The knowledge and molecular tools developed can be translated to the field through targeted breeding efforts aided by genetic marker-based and genomic selection strategies.