Dr. Eric “Rick” Jellen

Professor of Plant Genetics and Associate Dean, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, USA.

Rick joined the faculty at Brigham Young University in 1996. Previously, he obtained a Ph.D. at Minnesota and was a postdoc for the USDA-ARS in Manhattan, Kansas. His research focuses on chromosomal and molecular genetics of oats (Avena) and quinoa (Chenopodium). In oat, he identified chromosome rearrangements, used chromosome-deficient stocks to map genes, and identified variants in beta-glucan biosynthesis gens. In quinoa, he led efforts to identify the origins of its two subgenomes as well as variants controlling seed starch composition. In both crops, he has studied hybridization with wild relatives to derive superior germplasm for lowland environments.