Yufan Zhang
Degree: Ph.D. in Plant Biology 2014
Thesis: Functional genomics of Theobroma cacao fatty acid biosynthesis: Convergence of fatty acid desaturation, embryo development, and defense signaling responses
Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar, Princeton Univ.
Email: foreverkobe.zyf@gmail.com
Zi Shi
Degree: Ph.D. in Plant Biology 2010
Thesis: Functional analysis of Non Expressor of pr1 (NPR1) and its paralog NPR3 in Theobroma cacao and Arabidopsis thaliana
Current Position: Scientist: Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Science
Email: shizi_520@msn.com
Rachel Melnick
Degree: Ph.D. in Plant Pathology 2010
Current Position: National Program Leader directing competitive grant programs in the area of agroclimatology; agency representative to the USDA Regional Climate hub Executive Council; and USDA representative to the HABHRCA interagency working group.
Email: RMelnick@nifa.usda.gov (2010)
Yi Liu
Degree: Ph.D. in Integrated Biological Sciences 2010
Current Position: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco
Carter Miller
Degree: Ph.D. in Integrated Biological Sciences 2009
Thesis: An Integrated In Vitro and Greenhouse Orthotropic Clonal Propagation System for Theobroma Cacao L.
Email: carter.r.miller@uol.com.br (2010)
Huan Xia
Degree: Ph.D. in Integrated Biological Sciences 2009
Thesis: Structure and Function of Endosperm Starch from Maize Mutants Deficient in One or More Starch-branching Enzyme Isoform Activities
Current Position: Product Process Scientist R&D; MARS PETCARE US;T: 615-807-4234; Fax: 615-458-2743 (2010)
Email: Huan.Xia@effem.com
J.P. Marelli
Degree: Ph.D. Integrated Biological Sciences 2008
Thesis: Solanum lycopersicum as a model system to study pathogenicity mechanisms of Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao Current Position: Cocoa Physiologist; Mars Center For Cocoa Science; T: 55 73 3214-7906; M: 55 9116-3587; Fax: 55 73 3214-7905 (2010)
Email: jean-philippe.marelli@effem.com
J.D. Swanson
Degree: Ph.D. 2005
Thesis: Flower development in Theobroma cacao L.: An assessment of morphological and molecular conservation of floral development between Arabidopsis thaliana and Theobroma cacao
Current Position: Professor of Biology and Class Dean, Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport RI 02840
Email: jswanson@uca.edu
Gabriela Antunez De Mayolo
Degree: Ph.D. Integrated Life Sciences 2003
Thesis: Genetic engineering of Theobroma cacao and molecular studies on cacao defense responses
Current Position: Greifswald University (2010)
Melis Cakirer
Degree: B.S. and M.S. Food Sciences 2003
Thesis: Color as an indicator of flavanol content in the fresh seeds of Theobroma cacao L
Current Position: Colgate-Palmolive Company; 909 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1343 (2010)
Email: melis_cakirer@colpal.com
Jennifer Umphress
Degree: Ph.D. Plant Physiology 2001
Thesis: Phosphorus stress response in Arabidopsis
Current Position: Monsanto Corp (2010)
Abdoulaye Traore
Degree: Ph.D. Food Science 1999
Thesis: Tissue culture and Transformation of cacao
Current Position: Process & Product Development Scientist; Mars Chocolate US-ELZ T: 717-367-0991; M: 717-538-4983; Fax: 717-361-4608 (2010)
Email: abdoulaye.traore@effem.com
Kyung-Nam Kim
Degree: Ph.D. Plant Physiology 1997
Thesis: Isolation and promoter analysis of the genes for starch branching enzyme in maize 2010
Current Position: Associate Professor, Dept. Of Molecular Biology, Sejong University
Email: knkim@sejong.ac.kr
Ming Gao
Degree: Ph.D. Plant Physiology 1996
Thesis: Molecular characterization of starch branching enzyme genes, SbeI, Sbe2b and Sbe2a in maize (Zea mays L.)
Current Position: Plant Biiotechnology Institute, NRC, Saskatoon (2010)
Siela Maximova
Degree: Ph.D. Plant Physiology 1996
Thesis: Development of a genetic transformation system for apple
Current Position: Senior Scientist and Professor of Horticulture, Penn State University, Dept. of Plant Science
Email: snm104@psu.edu
Dane Fisher
Degree: Ph.D. Genetics 1995
Thesis: Molecular genetic analysis of multiple isoforms of starch branching enzyme with emphasis on Zea mays L.
Current Position: Pfeiffer University, NC (2010)
Xiping Niu
Degree: Ph.D. Plant Physiology 1995
Thesis: DNA binding specificity and interactions with nucleosomal DNA of the plant bZip protein EmBP-1
Current Position: Pionneer Hi-Bred International (2010)
Sashi Prabhakar
Degree: M.S. Plant Physiology 1995
Thesis: cDNA cloning and characterization of a EmBP-1 homologue in maize (Zea mays): A basic leucine zipper transcription factor
Current Position: Sr. Analyst Application Svcs, Merck Research Labs
Charlene Chang
Degree: M.S. Plant Physiology 1993
Thesis: Optimization of in vitro regeneration of geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum L.H. Bailey) for development of a genetic transformation system
