Dr. Rowland has been a Research Geneticist with the Fruit Laboratory since 1990. For the past 16 years, her work has focused on developing molecular markers for mapping and DNA fingerprinting of blueberry, identifying genes/molecular markers associated with cold hardiness and chilling requirement in blueberry, and evaluating germplasm for mid-winter cold hardiness and spring frost tolerance for use in blueberry breeding.
Dr. Rowland has authored or co-authored over 60 research papers and book chapters. She has received numerous invitations to present seminars and workshops at national and international meetings, universities, and private companies, write review articles and book chapters, serve as research advisor to graduate students, serve on grant review panels, and host visiting scientists from all over the world. In addition, Dr. Rowland has served as mentor to 18 Eleanor Roosevelt High School students since 1994.
Research Interests
Developing molecular markers for mapping and DNA fingerprinting in blueberry
Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with cold hardiness and chilling requirement in blueberry
Determining the genetic basis for mid-winter cold hardiness and genetic variability for spring frost tolerance in blueberry
Developing EST library for blueberry and using microarrays to identify cold-responsive genes