Plant Scientists at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation |
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Dr. Chris Richards current lead scientist, is a population geneticist applying genomic data to collection management. His work develops procedures to track accession identity, ensure accession integrity and identify useful agronomic diversity.
Dr. Christina Walters of the plant group and oversees the seed quality program. Her personal research optimizes seed storage conditions to maximize shelf-life and seeks to detect early signs of seed aging non-invasively. She specializes in the storage physiology of trees and wild species.
Dr. Gayle Volk develops and implements improved management techniques for vegetatively propagated genebank collections. She is also co-coordinator of a project creating training materials for plant genetic resources conservation and use. GRIN U
Dr. Maria Jenderek is a plant physiologist responsible for applied cryopreservation of vegetatively propagated genetic resources, improvement of cryopreservation procedures, and maintenance of clonal Plant Variety Protection (PVP) samples.