My research can best be described under the headings of functional genomics, higher-order chromatin structure and how higher-order structure impacts cellular and developmental processes, gene silencing/expression and transformation of important plants.  My research group shares lab space and has a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Bill Thompson.  Within this framework, my program offers a great opportunity for synergism with many programs in Botany, Genetics, Crop Science, Horticulture, and Biochemistry.  My philosophy is to work together as a team.  I feel that a team can accomplish so much more than a single individual and everyone benefits.
          I am Acting Director for a new College of Agriculture and Life Sciences initiative, the Applied Genomics and Plant Improvement Facility (aka AGPIF).  We expect the Applied Genomics and Plant Improvement Facility to provide a bridge between plant breeding and functional genomics. The AGPIF will function synergistically with the NCSU Genome Research Laboratory (GRL), the Bioinformatics Research Center (BRC), and the Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics components of the NCSU Genomics Degree Program.
          When the AGPIF is finished it will enhance NCSU's ability to train students in cutting edge technologies on plant improvement; with a long-term plan to train scientists from around the world on how to produce plants that are more productive, use less resources, and are earth-friendly by causing less pollution.  Eventually, I envision the AGPIF as part of a cooperative web of centers throughout the world working together to act locally which have impact globally.
 

1. Enable the large scale transformation experiments needed to test hypotheses generated by genomic research.

2. Provide the capacity to produce new material for plant breeders.

3. Develop and test new technologies, for example to increase the efficiency of gene transfer and improve the performance of transgenic materials.

4. Nucleate new interactions between plant scientists at NCSU and its public and private collaborators.
.............and most important!!  To be a part of a solution for saving our earth .........