Kedong Da

Bio

With over 30 years of experience in plant tissue culture, transformation, gene editing, and molecular biology research, Kedong has conducted research and contributed to education in Asia (China and South Korea), Europe (Sweden), and various regions of the United States (Georgia, Virginia, Oregon, and North Carolina). He has advanced the science and practice of tissue culture across a wide range of crops, including (but not limited to) horticultural and row crops. Kedong has enhanced genetic transformation systems for crops such as apple, cabbage, corn, cotton, cucumber, orchid, rose, strawberry, sweetpotato and tomato. Additionally, he has conducted gene-editing work on sweetpotato, ornamental/energy grass, watermelon, potato, rose, soybean and strawberry. In 2020, Kedong joined NC State from Syngenta USA, where he served as a lead scientist for corn DH breeding.

At NC State, his role is to provide innovative leadership in managing the Plant Transformation Laboratory. He collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and industry partners to advance research and development in plant tissue culture, transformation, gene editing, and bioengineering.