天美传媒

Dr. Amir Ahkami is a biologist and the leader of the . Ahkami joined EMSL in 2015 to support the development of the plant science research program. He also holds the position of adjunct assistant professor at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He is currently leading research projects as a principal investigator focusing on poplar (Populus spp.) and model grasses’ (Brachypodium鈥痑nd鈥疭etaria) responses to abiotic stresses, molecular physiology of root formation, and physiological phenotyping to narrow the genotype-to-phenotype knowledge gap for crop improvement. He employs state-of-the-art technologies, including single cell-type specific molecular profiling coupled with high-resolution cellular imaging to address plant biology research gaps on molecular and physiological mechanisms that control bioenergy crop productivity and fitness in relationship to microbial communities in the rhizosphere. He is also assisting EMSL collaborators and users in the development of creative new applications for plant sciences.鈥� 

 develops new soybean varieties and germplasm to help meet the growing global demand for protein and vegetable oil. He advances knowledge in soybean breeding and genetics by identifying genetic diversity using modern genetic tools with a goal of improving economically important traits in the crop.
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Diers' research advances fundamental knowledge of the genes responsible for soybean yield, protein content, and resistance to major pests. His captive breeding program releases and licenses soybean varieties for production in Illinois, with more than 15 varieties currently in commercial production. 
Affiliations: 
Diers is an emeritus professor in the  in the  (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is also a team member for the  (RIPE) project. 

 (he/him) studies the genetics and breeding of internationally important crops like rice and oats to diversify the regional agricultural system and support agricultural productivity in developing nations.
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Arbelaez is a plant breeder and geneticist passionate about reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty around the world. In pursuit of this passion, Juan is focusing on developing varieties of spring oat (Avena sativa) and rice (Oryza sativa) with enhanced nutritional quality, helping breeders around the world develop and implement cost-effective methods and tools to accelerate breeding for multiple traits, including yield and grain quality. Additionally, Arbelaez is developing cover crop oat varieties for the Midwest to protect life-sustaining natural resources. At the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Cali, Colombia, he worked on developing novel rice germplasm with introgressions from wild rice species to support the global rice community. Arbelaez completed his Ph.D. and post-doc in Dr. Susan McCouch’s rice genetics lab at Cornell University, working on understanding the genetic bases of tolerance to aluminum and iron toxicity, critical abiotic stresses affecting rice production in parts of South America and Africa. Prior to joining the University of Illinois, Arbelaez was a rice breeder at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), headquartered in the Philippines, where he played a critical role in the development and deployment of a global genomic selection strategy to accelerate rice improvement in irrigated environments across Southeast Asia and West Africa.
Affiliations: 
Dr. Arbelaez is an assistant professor in the  in the  (ACES) at the .

 (she/her) studies the principles and techniques of quantitative genetics in applied plant breeding to accelerate genetic progress in ways that benefit people and the environment. Her work focuses on making winter wheat more profitable for farmers in the North Central Midwest, promoting cropping system diversity, and, ultimately, environmental sustainability.
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Rutkoski is a small grains breeder and quantitative geneticist with a passion for putting the principles and techniques of quantitative genetics and statistics to use in applied breeding in order to accelerate rates of genetic gain. In pursuit of this passion, Rutkoski aims to increase the profitability of winter wheat while improving the levels of quantitative disease resistance in small grains. Rutkoski is also working to develop and deploy new breeding methods that will accelerate rates of genetic gain for wheat and other self-pollinated crops. Prior to joining the University of Illinois, Rutkoski received her Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to complete her Ph.D. at Cornell University under the direction of Small Grains Breeder Dr. Mark Sorrells. After receiving her Ph.D., she stayed at Cornell University as an assistant professor, where her mission was to innovate and transfer advanced breeding methods like genomic selection to wheat breeding programs globally. Rutkoski has also conducted research in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), headquartered in Mexico, where she worked as an Adjunct Associate Scientist in the Global Wheat Breeding Program. In 2016, she began working as a Scientist in the plant breeding division at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), located in the Philippines, where she improved rice breeding efficiency through more effective use of data and analytical techniques.
Affiliations:
Dr. Rutkoski is an assistant professor in the  in the  (ACES) at the .

 improves the efficiency and productivity of cereal crops by optimizing photosynthesis and water use. His research helps develop crops that are resilient to climate change and meet the needs of growers at the regional, national, and international levels.
More information: Studer's lab studies the evolution, regulation, and function of the carbon concentrating mechanism employed by plants for C4 photosynthesis. This process plays an important role in carbon dioxide uptake and transpirational water loss, and thus, has direct implications for photosynthetic and water-use efficiency. Elucidating the genetic control of photosynthesis will enable the manipulation of crops (through both breeding and engineering) to improve productivity and sustainability, which will be vital for food and fuel security in a changing environment.
Affiliations: Studer is an associate professor in the  in the  (ACES) at the . He is also affiliated with the  the  (CABBI), the , and the  at U. of I.