Research Chemist
US Dairy Forage Research Center
USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin-Madison

BS, Chemistry, 1976, University of Canterbury, Canterbury, NZ
PhD, Chemistry and Forestry, 1985, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Organic chemist, cell wall chemist and NMR Spectroscopist

Phone: (608) 890-0071
Fax: (608) 890-0076
E-Mail: John.Ralph@ars.usda.gov

Current Research
• Identifying factors limiting cell wall utilization in ruminants, biomass conversion, and industrial processes..
• Delineating the extent of metabolic plasticity in the lignification process, and exploring ways to exploit it.
• Developing new and improved cell wall analytical methods and structural tools.
• Delineating cell wall cross-linking mechanisms in forages and cereal grains.

Link to scientist's current research