Post Docs & Research Associates



Postdoctoral Membership in the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics

The Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics (IPBGG) has a postdoctoral member category to facilitate their integration and a sense of belonging in the PBGG community.  PhD-level research scientists also qualify for this membership.

Postdoctoral members of the IPBGG will have access to PBGG resources (such as travel support and retreat participation), can participate in organization of PBGG activities, propose PBGG events, provide suggestions for PBGG seminar speakers, serve on selected committees, and participate in governance discussions, but will have no vote.   

PBGG Postdoctoral members are expected to be active members of the PBGG community, participate in PBGG events, take advantage of some of the benefits listed above, and contribute to the overall PBGG mission.

To apply for postdoctoral member status within IPBGG, candidates must

  • Work for a PI who is member of the IPBGG
  • Perform research in the broad area of plant breeding, genetics & genomics
  • Prepare an application packet to be sent to pbgg@uga.edu that includes
    • A description of how your research relates to an area of PBGG
    • A CV
    • A statement from your PI in support of your membership within the IPBGG
    • Your
      • Name
      • Professional title
      • Name of Sponsor (PI)
      • Department/Center Affiliation
      • Email:
      • Cell/Work phone number
      • Campus mailing address
      • LinkedIn and Google Scholar profiles
      • Twitter handle
      • A photo of yourself. Note: your photo should have an aspect ration of 2x3 and not exceed 600 pixels in width.  We are after candid action photos- see examples.  Please avoid passport or driver's license type of photos.  Avoid photos taken against a wall or blank surface or wearing formal clothing.

All applications will be reviewed by the steering committee for approval.



Mounirou Alyr
Mounirou Alyr Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Soraya Leal-Bertioli)
Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Sailaja Bhogireddy
Sailaja Bhogireddy Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Ozias-Akins)
Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Carlos Cardon
Carlos Cardon Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins)
Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Natalie Deans
Natalie Deans Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Robin Buell)
Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Bikash Ghimire
Bikash Ghimire Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Bochra Bahri)
Plant Pathology Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Heather Gladfelter
Heather Gladfelter Postdoctoral Associate (Dr. Wilde); ornamentals & molecular biology
Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Sameer Khanal
Sameer Khanal Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Brian Schwartz)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Daniel Laspisa
Daniel Laspisa Postdoc Research Associate (Dr. Jason Wallace)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Chenxin Li
Chenxin Li Postdoc Research Associate (Dr. Robin Buell)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Xunliang Liu
Xunliang Liu Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Melissa Mitchum)
Plant Pathology Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Alex Luckew
Alex Luckew Postdoctoral Associate (Dr. McGregor); Cucurbits & molecular biology
Horticulture Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Thomas H Pendergast
Thomas H Pendergast Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Katrien Devos)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Dhanushya Ramachandran
Dhanushya Ramachandran Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Justin Vaughn)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Yunus Sahin
Yunus Sahin Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Katrien Devos)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Gi Yoon (Gina) Shin
Gi Yoon (Gina) Shin Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Melissa Mitchum)
Plant Pathology Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Fiorella Spies
Fiorella Spies Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Wayne Parrott)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Yasin Topcu
Yasin Topcu Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Esther van der Knaap)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Yun-ching Tsai
Yun-ching Tsai Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Soraya Leal-Bertioli)
Plant Pathology Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Fiona Wahinya
Fiona Wahinya Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Katrien Devos)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Yanbing Wang
Yanbing Wang Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Esther van der Knaap)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Jianxin Zhao
Jianxin Zhao Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Katrien Devos)
Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)
Lei Zhang
Lei Zhang Postdoctoral Research Associate (Dr. Esther van der Knaap)
Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG)