Mr. Kevin Conrad
Curator Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository
{Beltsville, MD}
Responsible for the conservation of 182 genera (over 5000 taxa) of woody landscape plants of diverse wild-origin; to establish a viable repository (Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository WLPGR) for the long term preservation of this germplasm in the form of seeds and clonal material; to transfer technology and associated information for use in research and crop improvement; and, to establish, manage, and make available collections information by electronic links between US National Arboretum, National Plant Germplasm System and the public sector.
Click here for more details e-mail: Kevin.Conrad@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Donna Fare
Research Horticulturist
{McMinnville,TN}
Conducts a research program in nursery crop production with emphasis on: identifying plant physiological constraints with nursery crops, developing improved production methods with field and container systems, and evaluate germplasm of ornamental trees and shrubs for landscape value. Click here for more details e-mail: Donna.Fare@are.usda.gov
Dr. Robert J. Griesbach
Research Geneticist
{Beltsville, MD}
Conducts a broad based
research program in the genetics of floral plants. Enhanced germplasm is created
from wild species that is disease, insect and stress tolerant. New technologies
(i.e., embryo rescue, genetic engineering, molecular markers, etc.) are developed
to aid in creating of novel germplasm. Recent research focuses on determining the
inheritance of horticulturally valuable traits, such as flower color. The genetics
of anthocyanin gene regulation is being studied. Click
here for more details e-mail: Robert.Griesbach@ars.usda.gov
Dr. John Hammond
Supervisory Research Plant Pathologist, Research Leader
{Beltsville, MD}
Conducts research
on virus diseases of ornamental crops, including resistance to virus infection
and replication in transgenic plants, and virus detection and strain differentiation
by serology and nucleic acid hybridization.
Click
here for more details
Dr. Hei-Ti Hsu
Microbiologist (Retired January 2007)
{Beltsville, MD}
Develops methods
of eliciting specific immune response for production of polyclonal antisera
and monoclonal antibodies and develops sensitive techniques for rapid and
reliable identification of plant pathogens. Conducts research on virus-vector-host
plant interaction and explores vector cell culture system for studies of plant viruses.
Investigates induced-resistance to virus infection in transgenic plants containing
single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody genes. Click here for more details e-mail: HeiTi.Hsu@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Qi Huang
Plant Pathologist
{Beltsville, MD}
Conducts research on important bacterial diseases of floral and woody crops. Current research interests include: developing knowledge and tools for the detection, genetic characterization and control of bacterial leaf scorch disease of woody ornamental crops caused by Xylella fastidiosa; conducting research on host range, epidemiology and control of bacterial wilt disease of geranium caused by Ralstonia solanacaerum race 3, biovar 2; and identifying alternative plant expression promoter for the development of transgenic floral crops resistant to bacterial diseases.
Click here for more details e-mail: Qi.Huang@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Ramon L. Jordan
Research Plant Pathologist
{Beltsville, MD}
Conducts research on the biochemical and biological nature of plant viruses, their genomes, and their gene products. Develops and utilizes serological and nucleic acid-based reagents and technologies for improved detection, differentiation and identification of new and emerging viruses; determines the genome organization of selected important ornamental viruses; and, develops methods and new strategies to confer virus resistance in plants through expression of antibody proteins or replicase-binding peptides in transgenic plants. Click here for more details
Dr. Kathryn K. Kamo
Plant Physiologist
{Beltsville, MD}
Identifies biochemical
events associated with cell division and differentiation. Studies cell,
tissue and organ development and correlates biochemical changes with morphological
changes leading to formation of the whole plant. Applies biotechnology to the development
of floral bulb plants to make them resistant to viruses and nematodes. Click
here for more details e-mail: Kathryn.Kamo@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.
Research Plant Taxonomist
{Washington, DC}
Conducts taxonomic research on the cigar tree, the
genus Catalpa of the trumpet-creeper family, and the fringe tree, the genus Chionanthus of the
olive family. Leads and joins domestic and foreign plant explorations. Responsible for, assists in
identification of fruits and seeds, and contributes to the proper curation of the U.S. National Seed Herbarium.
e-mail: Joseph.Kirkbride@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Dilip K. Lakshman
Research Plant Pathologist
{Beltsville. MD}
Conducts research on important soil-borne fungal pathogens of ornamental plants, including Rhizoctonia solani. Current research interests include: characterization and utilization of hypovirulent isolates of R. solani for biological control and/or growth promotion of ornamental plants in the greenhouse; characterization of fungal double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), fungal genes and biochemical processes affecting virulence; transformation and transfection of R. solani with fungal dsRNAs; and, exploration and development of biorationals and composts as disease suppressive alternatives to methyl bromide.
Click here for more details e-mail: Dilip.Lakshman@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Richard Olsen
Research Geneticist
{Washington, DC}
Responsible for basic and applied research
to provide the genetic information necessary to 1) develop stress-, disease-, and pest-tolerant cultivars
of important landscape trees; 2) increase the diversity and improve the adaptability, longevity, and
effectiveness of trees planted in urban landscapes, with particular attention to native germplasm and
to fast-growing shade trees suitable for smaller spaces, as street trees, and under utility lines;
3) investigate introgression and the impact of introgression between cultivated selections and native
populations and examine barriers to inter-population and interspecific crosses; 4) develop cultivars
of interspecific hybrids and of native tree genera that minimize introgression and undesirable fruit;
and 5) select superior genotypes that can be efficiently clonally propagated without becoming invasive.
Click here for more details e-mail: Richard.Olsen@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Margaret Pooler
Research Geneticist
{Washington, DC}
Conducts research on breeding and genetics of ornamental shrubs, small trees and woody perennials. Breeding methodologies include traditional crosses and biotechnology to introduce novel genes for disease resistance, environmental adaptation, and esthetic qualities, as well as using molecular markers to facilitate selection. Click
here for more details e-mail: Margaret.Pooler@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Sandra Reed
Research Geneticist
{McMinnville, TN}
Conducts research on breeding and genetics of nursery crop species to develop improved cultivars, with particular emphasis on resistance to diseases and insects and tolerance to environmental stress. Uses traditional breeding methodology, wide hybridization and in vitro techniques.
Click here for more details e-mail: Sandra.Reed@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Mark S. Roh
Research Horticulturist
{Beltsville, MD}
Conducts research on the evaluation and characterization of germplasm as part of the woody landscape plants repository project (WLPGR). Specific research objectives include, for example, evaluating seed germination of Styrax, Ardisia, Nandina, and Corylopsis as influenced by warm/cold stratification, plant growth regulators, and maturity of seeds utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, evaluating germplasm for heat tolerance in Abies, and Pinus, genetic purity of ex situ preserved germplasm of Pinus, Abies, and Corylopsis, and selection of Deutzia, Halesia as well as other woody ornamental plants with horticultural merit, and characterization of germplasm such as Prunus yedoensis, Ilex, and Corylopsis using molecular markers, and development of sequence-characterized amplified region markers for cold-hardiness in Camellia and in Ardisia seedlings progenies.
Click here for more details e-mail: Mark.Roh@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Scott Warnke
Research Plant Geneticist/Physiologist
{Washington, DC}
Conducts research on
germplasm evaluation, plant genetics, plant physiology and germplasm enhancement
of turfgrasses. Research is focused on an improved understanding of genetic
processes underlying stress responses of turfgrasses, which will also
lead to improved techniques for plant selection and breeding through the use of molecular
marker techniques in germplasm enhancement.
Click here for more details e-mail: Scott.Warnke@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Alan Whittemore
Research Plant Molecular Taxonomist
{Washington, DC}
Responsible for
original molecular, biosystematic, taxonomic, and nomenclatural research
on cultivated woody plants and their wild-occurring allies of potential
scientific, economic, and landscape utility. Leads and joins domestic and
foreign plant explorations. Responsible for, provides oversight of, and
contributes actively to the growth and proper curation of the National
Arboretum Herbarium.
Click here for more details e-mail: Alan.Whittemore@ars.usda.gov
Mr. Kevin Conrad
e-mail: Kevin.Conrad@ars.usda.gov
Dr. Donna Fare
Dr. Robert J. Griesbach
Dr. Hei-Ti Hsu
Dr. Qi Huang
Dr. Ramon L. Jordan
Dr. Kathryn K. Kamo
Dr. Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.
Dr. Dilip K. Lakshman
Dr. Richard Olsen
Dr. Sandra Reed
Dr. Mark S. Roh
Dr. Scott Warnke
Dr. Alan Whittemore
Back to the Arboretum Home Page