We are pleased to announce that Dr. Yu Ma will be joining HCS in August 2023 as an Assistant Professor of Plant Biology and Director of the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) at The Ohio State University!
Department Chair, Dr. Doug Karcher, summed up our collective excitement best: “Dr. Ma has an impressive record of high-impact publications and securing grants for research funding. She has a strong background in plant germplasm resources. She is passionate about teaching, is collaborative, and will be an overall great addition to the HCS faculty team. I’m thrilled that the OPGC will have a faculty director this August. That position has been vacant since I arrived as chair in August 2021, so I’m excited to watch the center move forward under Dr. Ma’s leadership.”
Currently, Dr. Ma is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University. Among her current research interests are: whole-genome sequencing data analysis; characterizing regulated high-protein genes; developing KASPar markers; targeting breeding with genomic selection; designing and conducting field and greenhouse experiments. Prior to joining the faculty, she held a postdoctoral research associate role within the same department at Washington State University.
Dr. Ma received her Ph.D. at Washington State University - her Dissertation focused on Enabling marker-assisted breeding in pea (Pisum sativum L.) (2016). Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Ma received her M.S. (Thesis: Development of SSR markers and construction of genetic linkage map in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)) from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2012). Additionally, she received her B.S. (Biotechnology) from the Agricultural University of Hebei (2009).
Some core areas Dr. Ma plans to focus on at Ohio State
- Research
- Steering the overarching direction of the OPGC, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of the floriculture and nursery industries, associated scientific and breeding communities, germplasm acquisition, augmentation and preservation of genetic diversity within select species for future use benefitting humankind.
- Building a research program with a focus on population genetics, seed biology, plant stress response, and ornamental plant breeding.
- Teaching
- Designing new relevant courses and leading several courses yearly to strengthen the core of the undergraduate and graduate student educational experience.
- Extension
- Supporting programing that emphasizes the management of genetic resources for herbaceous ornamental plants.
Wow, that's quite a broad range of high-impact responsibilities & we could not be happier to bring Dr. Ma on board for this exciting task! Luckily, she had a minute to step away from the plants & sit down with us to give us a brief glimpse into her thoughts...
What are you most looking forward to about this next step in your career?
I am thrilled about joining the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science and the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the floriculture and nursery industries, as well as the scientific and breeding communities.
What are some of your initial plans for your 1st year with HCS?
Within the first year, I will acquaint with the current plant germplasm collection at the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center and introduce myself to the National Plant Germplasm System. I will visit stakeholders, meet with colleagues to discuss potential collaborations, develop a research program that aligns with OPGC’s mission and stakeholders’ needs, identify funding opportunities, and develop grant proposals to support research goals. I will design courses to educate undergraduates and graduates students.
What initially sparked your interest in plant biology & ornamental plant germplasm?
I grew up in a city, surrounded by nature and developed a deep appreciation to plants. My interest in plant germplasm began during my master’s study in Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. I was fascinated by the plant genetic diversity and importance of preserving it when I took the Plant Germplasm Resources class. During my graduate school study, I was fortunate to have a lot of opportunities to work with various cool season food legume germplasm. It was always amazing to see the diversified seeds with so different colors and shapes.
What have been a few highlights of your career so far?
A few highlights of my career include:
- Phenotypically and genotypically characterized lentil, pea, chickpea and faba bean germplasm conserved in national and international germplasm repositories
- Developed genetic and genomic resources to enable efficient breeding solutions for development of improved nutrient-dense, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient lines of legume crops
- Characterized genetic diversity and domestication in wild and cultivated lentils
You can find my research articles at Google Scholar
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
In my free time, I enjoy the time with my husband and kids. With two active boys, we spend a lot of time outdoors playing sports and games in our backyard. I also enjoy gardening and hiking.
We’re delighted Dr. Ma has decided to come grow in Ohio’s thriving scientific community and hope you'll join us in welcoming her!
You can keep up with Dr. Ma on Twitter @yu_ma2578