NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative will hold a series of seminars for candidates for the Roberts and Mikhail Distinguished Professor in Genome Editing. The distinguished professor in this position will serve as the executive director of the newly established Genome Editing Center (GEC) for Sustainable Agriculture.
The executive director of the GEC will have specific expertise in genome editing with an emphasis on molecular approaches. The leader of the center will develop a multifaceted research program focused on genome editing, with a goal of developing the technology’s role in enhancing food security, nutrition and environmental health.
Major responsibilities of the position include:
- Develop and lead the GEC’s strategic and cutting-edge research program’s vision.
- Develop the GEC’s national and international profile by building a dynamic community of world-class researchers, including faculty, postdoctoral scholars and students.
- Ensure financial health and sustainability of the GEC.
- Establish and maintain broad partnerships and collaborations with academia and industry.
- Act as a key liaison to ensure effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee the development of intellectual property through the creation of new tools, plant varieties/microbial strains and traits.
- Direct and manage the integration of research activities, resource allocation and facility management to ensure success of the overall operation and effectiveness of the GEC.
- Contribute to the educational and training activities of NC State University.
RELATED: Samulski Supports ‘Next Wave’ Genome Editing Technology at NC State
Each candidate will give two 45-minute seminars followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. The first seminar will focus on the candidates’ research interests and activities. The second will focus on their vision for the Genome Editing Center. Interested faculty and staff are invited to attend the in-person seminars to learn more.
Candidates and their respective seminar dates are as follows:
- Thomas Jacobs, associate professor at Ghent University and group leader for VIB-University Ghent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium
- Research Seminar: Monday, Feb. 3, 10:15-11:15 a.m., 3503 Thomas Hall. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/93965199765
- Center Seminar: Tuesday, Feb. 4, noon-1 p.m., Seminar ABC, Plant Sciences Building. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/92801726814
- Timothy Kelliher, head of Crop Trait and Technology Discovery, Syngenta Seeds Research
- Research Seminar: Tuesday, Feb. 11, noon-1 p.m., 3503 Thomas Hall. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/95562062728
- Center Seminar: Wednesday, Feb. 12, Seminar ABC, Plant Sciences Building. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/93251968256
- Yiping Qi, professor of plant science and landscape architecture, University of Maryland
- Research Seminar: Thursday, Feb. 13, noon-1 p.m., 3503 Thomas Hall. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/96272336269
- Center Seminar: Friday, Feb. 14, Seminar ABC, Plant Sciences Building. Zoom Link – https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/95700386036