People

Julie Dawson

Associate Professor
Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences
393 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: dawson [at] hort.wisc.edu

PhD Crop Science, 2008. Washington State University
Bachelor of Science, Plant Science, 2003. Cornell University

Rue Genger

Scientist II
Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences
321 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: rkgenger [at] wisc.edu

PhD Plant Sciences, Australian National University
Bachelor of Science Plant Breeding, University of Queensland

Rue’s research interests include collaborative plant breeding for organic
systems, seed systems for potatoes and other vegetatively propagated crops, and reduced tillage methods for climate resilient organic vegetable production.

Thomas Hickey

Research Specialist
Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences
321 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: tphickey [at] wisc.edu

MS Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
BS Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Thomas is a long-time vegetable variety trial researcher now turned data
manager. He can be spotted in community gardens and research stations
recording observations or formatting data.

Marissa Nix

Research Specialist
Department of Plant & Agroecosystem Sciences
321 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: mnix [at] wisc.edu

BS Genetics and Genomics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Marissa provides support in both the laboratory and field, focusing on daily and weekly logistics. Recently, she has been working on tomato and pepper breeding projects for the lab.

Paulina Jenney

Research Coordinator
email: pjenney [at] wisc.edu

Steffen Mirsky

Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension
email: swmirsky [at] wisc.edu

BS Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Washington

Steffen is working with Jason Fischbach and the Extension Emerging Crops
Team to help establish ten emerging crops in Wisconsin through education,
outreach, research and supply chain development with the goal of diversifying
the agricultural landscape, improving environmental outcomes and greater
economic prosperity. This includes American hazelnuts and food grade grains,
as well as helping to manage the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative vegetable
trials in Spooner, WI.

Scott Brainard

Postdoctoral Researcher
email: shbrainard [at] wisc.edu

PhD Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Scott is developing tools that leverage next-generation sequence data to
improve the efficiency of selection in hazelnut.

Peyton Higgins

Postdoctoral Researcher
email: pmhiggins [at] wisc.edu

PhD Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Graduate Students

Ambar Carvallo Lopez

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
email: carvallolope [at] wisc.edu

Ambar is interested in supporting organic farming systems by developing
varieties that are especially adapted for those conditions. She is currently
working on tomato breeding for organic systems.

Affiliated Graduate Students

Antonio Brazelton

PhD Student
Plant and Microbial Biosciences
Washington University in St. Louis
Co-Advised with Allison Miller
email: brazelton.antonio [at] gmail.com

Antonio’s current research interests are at the nexus of plant breeding,
urban agriculture and food equity. His goal is to explore targeted breeding
strategies that prioritize food sovereignty, environmental sustainability
and improved genetic diversity for urban farmers and the communities
they serve.

Avelina Gaston

MS Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Co-Advised with Phil Simon
email: asgaston [at] wisc.edu

BS Biological Sciences, Arizona State University

Avelina works on the development of texture analysis methodology in carrot. She also is researching the underlying genetic mechanisms of texture traits for carrot improvement in organic agriculture.

Clare Tallamy

MS Student
Soil Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Co-Advised with Zac Freedman
email: tallamy [at] wisc.edu

BS Environmental Science, Virginia Tech

Clare’s work is focused on rhizosphere microbiome recruitment in organic carrot production systems. Her broader research interests include soil-plant-microbe interactions, soil health, and rhizosphere ecology.

Tony Schuh

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Co-Advised with Phil Simon
email: aschuh3 [at] wisc.edu

MS Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University
BS Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Tony works on understanding the genetics and genomics of stand establishment in carrots, with the broader goal of breeding more weed-competitive carrot varieties. He is interested in using plant breeding as a tool to enhance our food system, striving for caloric and nutritional food security while promoting profitability, environmental health, and social well-being.

Crew

• Ava Glaser
• Becky Otte-Ford
• Declan Smith
• Drew Smith
• Malachi Persche
• Morgan Rubelowski

Graduate Student Alumni

Pablo Sandro

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
Co-advised with Lucia Gutierrez

Sarah DeGraff

MS Horticulture 2023

Kayla Sherman

MS Agroecology 2023

Meg Baker

MS Agroecology 2023

Co-advised with Claudia Irene Calderon

Laura Livingston

PhD Student
Environment and Resources
Co-Advised with Randy Stoecker
MS Agroecology 2018

Anneliese Abbott

MS, Nelson Institute

Dylan Bruce

MS Agroecology

Jenyne Schaefer Loarca

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
Co-Advised with Phil Simon

Ambar Carvallo Lopez

MS Agroecology

Keo Corak

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
MS Agroecology 2018

Juan Astroza

MS Horticulture

Patrick Merscher

MS Agroecology 2020

Kevin Coe

PhD Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics 2020
Co-Advised with Phil Simon

Karen Hill

MS Agroecology 2020

Rachel Schindler

MS Agroecology 2020

Thomas Hickey

MS Horticulture 2019

Terry Hodge

MS Horticulture 2018

Alex Steussy-Williams

MS Agroecology 2018

Kitt Healy

MS Horticulture and Agroecology 2016

Terri Theisen

MS Horticulture 2016

Natalie Cotter

Masters, May 2016
Urban and Regional Planning
Advisor Ken Genskow

Affiliated Graduate Student Alumni

Peyton Higgins

PhD Student
Chemistry
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Advised by Andrew Buller

Micaela Colley

PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
Wageningen University
Co-Advised with Edith Lammerts van Bueren and James Myers

Staff Alumni

Meg Baker

Researcher I

Keith Williams

Outreach Specialist

Jenn Cava

Research Specialist

Brian Emerson

Research Specialist

Claire Luby

Faculty Associate