We are thrilled to hear that in these difficult economic times North Carolina State University will start a new turfgrass breeding program. Their press release announces the appointment of a new scientist in the Department of Crop Science.

North Carolina State University Names New Turf Breeder

 

Starting January 15, 2009, Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis accepted a new position at N.C. State University (NCSU) as an assistant professor with the objective of establishing a turfgrass breeding program to serve the needs of the state of North Carolina. Major research initiatives will include work on improvement of both warm and cool season grasses for the transition zone.

Dr. Milla-Lewis received her undergraduate degree in her native country, Peru, and earned her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from NCSU working on breeding and genetics of tobacco and peanuts, respectively. Since 2003, she has been working at NCSU as a research associate using DNA markers in a peanut improvement program. Her responsibilities also have included teaching an undergraduate course in plant genetics. Susana plans to focus her breeding research efforts on tall fescue and warm season turfgrasses.

Susana can be reached at 919-515-3196 or susana_milla-lewis@ncsu.edu .

Source: Patrick O'Brien 770-229-8125 or patobrien@usga.org and Chris Hartwiger 205-444-5079 or chartwiger@usga.org