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  • Danny Singh

    Danny Singh named CALS Associate Dean for Research and Discovery

    Asheesh "Danny" Singh has been named the new associate dean for research and discovery and associate director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station for Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective Jan 1, 2025. 

  • Ashlyn Rairdin

    Ames, Iowa – November 20, 2024 – Ashlyn Rairdin, a PhD student in Plant Breeding at Iowa State University, and Baker Center supported student, has been honored as one of the 2025 Women Impacting ISU. This prestigious recognition celebrates women who have made significant contributions to the university community through their leadership, service, and dedication.

    Ashlyn's major professor, Arti Singh, praised her achievements, stating, “This award reflects Ashlyn's unwavering commitment, dedication, and the exceptional leadership skills in research and professional groups. Through her hard work and passion for plant breeding and the Women in Ag and AI group, she has set an inspiring example for fellow students, showing that leadership is built on perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.”

  • Panelists

    Ames, IA — The Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding (RFBCPB) recently underwent an external review on October 29-30th in Ames, IA,  conducted by a distinguished panel of experts in the field. The review panel comprised of Peggy Ozias-Akins, Charlie Brummer, Margaret Smith, and Thanda Dhliwayo, who brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the assessment.

    The objective of this external review was to evaluate the Center's current performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide strategic guidance to enhance its impact and profile. The panel addressed key questions essential for the Center's growth and development.

  • Juan Panelo

    Iowa State University Plant Breeding Student Juan Panelo Selected as 2024-2025 Encompass Fellow by Tri-Societies

    Ames, Iowa – September 17, 2024 – Iowa State University is proud to announce that Juan Panelo, a Plant Breeding PhD candidate in the Department of Agronomy, has been selected as a 2024-2025 Encompass Fellow by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). This fellowship, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, recognizes outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the field of agronomy, crop science, and soil science.

  • field day 2024

    AEA Research Farm, [Boone, IA] – Around 30 students and faculty attended the annual Plant Breeding Field Day held on Thursday, August 22nd. The event showcased the latest advancements in crop research and breeding. This year presenters focused on two essential crops: maize and millet. Attendees had the opportunity to explore these plots, learn from experts, and gain insights into cutting-edge techniques.

  • FFAR Recipients

    The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and North Carolina State University (NC State University) announced the 30 exceptional individuals who were selected as 2024 FFAR Fellows. Comprised of 30 Fellows representing 21 universities, the 2024 FFAR Fellows cohort will participate in a three-year fellowship designed to prepare future food and agriculture scientists with skills that can better prepare them for the  workforce. 

    Representing Iowa State University, the Department of Agronomy, the Department of Horticulture and the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding as FFAR Fellows are:  

  • Ames, Iowa – July 3, 2024

    With summer comes transition for a few familiar faces to the Iowa State University (ISU) Department of Agronomy. For those who have attended the Plant Breeding Seminars frequently, Diana Escamilla is a familiar name. As a plant breeding data analyst, she has made significant contributions to the field. Likewise, Aaron Kusmec, known to many within the Department for years, has been a key figure in crop genetics.

  • Poster session

    We are excited to announce the planning committee for the 2024-2025 Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium. The newly elected committee members are:

    Co-Chairs: Vencke Gruening & Joseph DeTemple

    Speaker Chair: Thomas Young

    Poster Chair: Memis Bilgici

    Food & Venue Chair: Hernan Torres Pacin

    Media Chair: Karlene Negus

    IT Chair: Shelly Kinney

    Workshop & Awards Chair: Yue Liu

    Field Day Co-Chairs: Heidi Dornath & Yanben Shen

  • Ames, Iowa, May 29th, 2024 – Iowa State University (ISU) proudly announces the promotion of Dr. Maria Salas-Fernandez to the rank of Professor in the Department of Agronomy. Dr. Salas-Fernandez’s exceptional research and teaching contributions have led to this well-deserved recognition.

    Background and Accomplishments:

  • Congratulations go out to Sarah Jones and Juan Panelo for winning the 2024 C.R. Weber Award for Excellence in Plant Breeding. 

    Sarah Jones, originally from College Station, Texas, is a Ph.D. Candidate in Plant Breeding in the Soynomics group at Iowa State University. 

  • Raquel Chan presenting

    Ames, Iowa, April 24, 2024 — Dr. Raquel Chan, a distinguished scientist and Senior Researcher at CONICET-Argentina, recently delivered a seminar titled: “Translational research focused on HD-Zip I transcription factors. From a model plant grown in a culture chamber to crops in field conditions and back to fundamental science” for the Department of Agronomy’s weekly plant breeding seminar series on campus. 

    In her presentation Dr. Chan explained her journey from studying transcription factors in model plants grown in controlled environments to applying these discoveries to develop drought tolerant wheat and soybean cultivars. Her work bridges fundamental science with practical applications, emphasizing sustainable crop improvement.

  • Jianming Yu

    New publication shares insights into AI for crop improvement from Iowa State researchers

    Questions about artificial intelligence are becoming more pressing in every discipline. For crop improvement, AI provides a new lens to bridge science and practice, said Jianming Yu, agronomy, Pioneer Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding and director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding. Helping his peers, students and the public become more knowledgeable about the rapidly evolving field of AI has become a mission for Yu. To this end, he and other co-authors, including Karlene Negus, a genetics doctoral student working with him, have published an overview on the role of artificial intelligence in crop improvement in a scholarly compilation, Advances in Agronomy. CALS asked Yu and Negus to review highlights of their new publication and reflect on the uses and implications of AI tools in their field. 

  • poster session

    The 11th annual Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium, held on March 22nd, 2024, brought together a diverse group of experts and students to discuss “The Power of Multi-Omics: Plant Breeding in a New Era.” Despite challenging weather conditions, the symposium saw around 100 in-person attendees, with many more joining virtually from 21 states and 24 countries.

  • Sorghum

    Weather swings bring steadier results when studying crop adaptability

    Efforts to breed more adaptable crops benefit from testing locations with wide ranges of weather, according to a study co-authored by an Iowa State University expert on phenotypic plasticity, the disparate ways plants respond in different environments.

  • Symposium

    Register today for the Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium

    The Power of Multi-Omics: Plant Breeding in a New Era

     

    Date: March 22, 2024

    The Plant Breeding and Genetics Graduate Student Club proudly announces the 11th annual R. F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium! Please join us on March 22nd, 2024 at the ISU Alumni Center.

    Where

    The symposium will take place in person at Iowa State University's Alumni Center. Come and join us!

    Address: 429 Alumni Ln, Ames, IA 50011

    There will also be a virtual option with streaming available over WebEx. The Webex link for the symposium can be found on this page on the day of the symposium.

    Registration

    The registration for the symposium is available HERE. Registration is free for both in person and virtual attendees.

  • The Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding at Iowa State University is pleased to announce that Dr. Donn Cummings will be presented the award:

    Extraordinary Service to Plant Breeding Community

    For his unparalleled passion and dedication to plant breeding and genetics, demonstrated by his outstanding performance in seed industry, his exemplary leadership and service in multiple professional organizations, and his continued active contribution after retirement; and for his genuine effort to engage and encourage students and early career scientists.

    When:  Award ceremony on March 22, 2024, at the 

    Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium

    Where: The Iowa State University Alumni Center

    429 Alumni Lane, Ames, Iowa 50011-1403

  • Artificial intelligence is the focus of many conversations as society tries to understand its uses and implications. Arti Singh is internationally recognized for her work exploring AI’s potential for agriculture, and she is encouraging other women to take leadership in AI technologies for the future. Two years ago, Singh, a plant breeder and associate professor in Iowa State University’s Department of Agronomy, started to organize a new group of students as Women in Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (WIAA) to encourage women to get more involved in AI and recognize its potential to solve diverse ag-related problems. 

  • Sorghum is a productive and versatile annual crop used worldwide for livestock feed. Until now, the plant, which originated in the tropics, has done best in warmer regions with longer growing seasons than the Upper Midwest. A new USDA-supported project will test and release several new sorghum cultivars that promise high-yielding, nutritious forage for beef and dairy cattle operations in the north-central states. The project will be led by Maria Salas-Fernandez, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, who directs the northernmost public sorghum breeding program in the United States. The effort is funded by a $498,960 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

  • Professor and plant breeder Asheesh K. (Danny) Singh has been named to the George Sprague Professorship in Agronomy by the Department of Agronomy in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Singh succeeds William Beavis, professor emeritus in agronomy, who has served in the position since 2007. It is quite an honor to be associated with Dr. Sprague, one of the foremost plant breeders, Singh said. His work is still relevant and is an inspiration to continue exploring all available tools and technologies to address the complex production challenges ahead of us.

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