Pullman, Washington
July 10, 2009
Arron Carter, a 2009 Ph.D.
graduate with an emphasis in wheat breeding and genetics, is the
new winter wheat breeder at
Washington State University (WSU). The appointment was
announced today at the annual WSU Spillman Agronomy Farm Field
Day.
Carter, who completed his doctoral degree at WSU in May, emerged
as a top candidate from a pool of more than 50 scientists from
around the globe. He succeeds Professor Stephen Jones in the
winter wheat breeding position. Jones assumed a new role as
director of WSU’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension
Center in Mount Vernon in March of this year.
“We are extremely excited to have Aaron on board,” said CAHNRS
Dean Dan Bernardo. “He brings an outstanding intellectual talent
and impressive academic pedigrees to this position. I am struck
by his enthusiasm and passion for plant breeding and his desire
to help our agricultural producers become more profitable. There
is no doubt that he will continue the rich legacy of outstanding
cereal breeders at WSU.”
Carter will assume his new responsibilities beginning July 16.
He has been a member of WSU’s wheat breeding and genetics
program since 2006. His research has focused on developing a
mapping population for a key spring wheat cross, and identifying
genetic markers for important agronomic, end-use quality and
pest resistance traits, specifically high-temperature adult
plant resistance to stripe rust in the spring wheat cultivar
Louise. Working with WSU spring wheat breeder and associate dean
Kim Kidwell, he also has played a major role in the development
of new spring wheat varieties for the Pacific Northwest.
“I’m excited about tackling the opportunities ahead,” Carter
said. He said the industry faces issues surrounding wheat
quality in the future as well as the marketing of Washington
wheat overseas. He also noted the need to continue incorporating
new technology into the breeding program to keep it fresh and
relevant.
The one thing that sets WSU’s wheat program apart from others
nationally? “The level of support we get from the Wheat
Commission and industry is definitely unique,” Carter said.
“Other states don’t get that kind of support.” |
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