Faculty
These faculty accept and train graduate students in their programs.
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2019_JessicaBarb.jpg)
Jessica Barb
Assistant Research Scientist | Plant breeding and genetics, crimson clover
Dr. Biswal's Horticulture Dept. Profile
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2024_AkshayaBiswal1.jpg)
Akshaya Biswal
Assistant Research Scientist; Emphasis: Peanut Genetics, Breeding, Genomics, Genetic Engineering & Genome Editing
Wild Peanut Lab Website | Dr. Bertioli's Google Scholar Page
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2018_DavidBertioli.jpg)
David Bertioli
Professor & GRA/GSD Distinguished Investigator | Peanut Genetics, Genomics and Evolution
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2018_WilliamBranch.jpg)
William D. Branch
Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2018_ZhenbangChen.jpg)
Zhenbang Chen
Assistant Research Scientist | Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Plant Breeding
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2017_PatrickConner.jpg)
Patrick J. Conner
Professor & Tifton REI Coordinator; Emphasis: Pecan & muscadine breeding
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2018_KatrienDevos.jpg)
Katrien M. Devos
Distinguished Research Professor | Grass Genetics; Comparative Genomics; Trait Analyses; Genome Evolution; Millets; Turfgrasses
Dr. Mergoum's Google Scholar Page
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2020_MohamedMergoum.jpg)
Mohamed Mergoum
Georgia Seed Development UGAF Professor in Wheat Breeding and Genetics (Plant Breeding, Genetics, & Genomics)
Dr. Mitchum's Website | Google Scholar
Dr. Nankar's Horticulture Dept. Profile
Dr. Ozias-Akins' Google Scholar Page
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2022_PeggyOzias-Akins.jpg)
Peggy Ozias-Akins
Distinguished Research Professor; Emphasis: Molecular genetics of plant development, peanuts
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2015_JRuter.jpg)
John M. Ruter
Allan M. Armitage Professor & UGA Trial Gardens Director; Emphasis: Ornamental breeding & production
Dr. van der Knapp's Website | Google Scholar
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2021_Esthervan-der-Knaap.jpg)
Esther van der Knaap
Professor; Emphasis: Tomatoes, plant development, genetics & genomics
Dr. Vaughn's Google Scholar | Dr. Vaughn's Website
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2023_JustinVaughn.jpg)
Justin N Vaughn
Computational Biologist, USDA-ARS | Adjunct Faculty, UGA Crop & Soil Sciences
Dr. Wallace's Website | Google Scholar | ORCID
![](https://secure.caes.uga.edu/personnel/photos/2022_JasonWallace.jpg)
Jason Wallace
Associate Professor: Quantitative genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and crop microbiomes