New plant breeding technology is topic of Wernsman Lecture

Geoff Graham, senior director of North America Maize Product Development for Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., will deliver the 11th annual Earl A. Wernsman Seminar on April 8, 2 p.m., in 216 Mann Hall, N.C. State University. The student-arranged lecture is sponsored by N.C. State’s Crop Science Graduate Student Association.

Graham’s lecture is titled, “The Application of New Technology to Plant Breeding.” For 13 years, he worked to apply new and conventional technologies to improve plant breeding systems. In 2000, he joined Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., as a research scientist and was promoted to senior research scientist in 2004.

Geoff accepted a position as director of molecular breeding in 2006 and was name senior director of North America Maize Product Development in 2008. In his current role, Graham has responsibility for maize research and development in North America, including inbred and hybrid creation and evaluation, hybrid characterization and advancement, and breeding technologies.

Graham earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and master’s degree in genetics and plant breeding from the University of Minnesota and his doctorate in genetics and plant breeding from North Carolina State University.

Immediately following the lecture a reception will be held in 1403 Williams Hall and adjoining Williams Courtyard.