CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 06/20/19

University of Georgia’s Katrien Devos recognized as Fellow of Crop Science Society of America

By Merritt Melancon

Katrien M. Devos, a professor of crop and soil sciences and plant biology at the University of Georgia, has been named a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA).

Her nomination and selection as a CSSA Fellow recognizes a career dedicated to breaking new ground in understanding the genetics and evolutionary biology of crops and in the search for more resilient and sustainable crop varieties. From mapping the genomes of orphan crops, like finger and foxtail millet, to tracking the genetic evolution of agronomic and wild grasses, Devos has played an integral role in the development of a more food-secure world.   

The CSSA, the premier international scientific society for crop scientists and crop breeders, selects CSSA Fellows to recognize members for professional achievements and meritorious service. Only up to 0.3% of the society’s active and emeritus members may be elected as Fellows. Fellowship is the highest level of recognition offered by the society.

Since the program was established, 24 UGA professors have been selected as CSSA Fellows; four of them are still active in UGA agricultural research.

“Katrien Devos is one of the best researchers in the world in her field,” said Allen Moore, associate dean for research at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). “She is very deserving of this honor and a standout in one of the nation’s top plant breeding, genetics and genomics programs. UGA agricultural research is known around the world as true leader in developing the tools and the scientific knowledge that will lead us into the next great chapter of agricultural advancement.”

The CSSA will recognize Devos formally when she travels to San Antonio, Texas, at the society’s awards ceremony this fall.

The new CSSA Fellow’s interest in plant genetics started during her undergraduate career. Devos conducted her doctoral research on wheat, and her Triticeae genetic mapping was conducted at Ghent University in Belgium and at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England. She received her doctorate from Ghent University in 1992.

Devos continued her career at the John Innes Centre, where she was a pioneer in the field of grass comparative genetics. She was a driving force behind the development of the “crop circles” concept, which demonstrates the relationship between different grass genomes at the genetic level. She also studied millet as a food crop for the developing world.

In 1996, Devos received a highly competitive David Phillips Fellowship from the U.K.’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to establish a fully independent research program in the U.K. As a BBSRC Fellow, she made landmark contributions to the field of comparative genomics and genome evolution.

She also continued her research on millet and was an integral part of a team — led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics — that developed the first pearl millet cultivar that was bred using marker-assisted breeding for improved downy mildew resistance. The impact of replacing older varieties with this downy-mildew-resistant, early-maturing variety has been estimated at more than $15 million per year.

In 2003, Devos joined the University of Georgia with joint appointments in the CAES Department of Crop and Soil Sciences; the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics; and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Plant Biology. At UGA, she established a broad research program that combines basic and applied research to a range of target crops including wheat, switchgrass, seashore paspalum and millet.

She played a leading role in the development of the foxtail millet genome sequence and is currently focusing her efforts on bringing finger millet breeding into the 21st century through the development of genetic and genomic resources for the finger millet community. Her pioneering genetic research on finger millet helped to secure a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to generate a reference-quality assembly of the finger millet genome and to study the diversity and evolution of a fungal pathogen that affects yield loss in finger millet.

Devos was awarded the UGA Research Foundation’s Creative Research Medal for her work on orphan crops. She was also elected an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow in 2016. Devos continues to be a pioneer in the field of plant sciences through her cutting-edge research and passion for her work.

For more information about Devos’ work at UGA CAES, visit research.franklin.uga.edu/devoslab.

Merritt Melancon, a public relations manager for the UGA Terry College of Business, previously served as a public relations coordinator for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Extension.

Authors:
Merritt Melancon
Experts/Sources:
Katrien M. Devos
Allen J. Moore
Katrien M. Devos, a professor of crop and soil sciences and plant biology at the University of Georgia, has been named a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) in honor of her career studying evolutionary biology and working to breed more resilient crop varieties.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
HurricaneHeleneGreenhouseDamageCropped CAES News
UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera
Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Nothing lasts forever: CAES professor finds solutions to break down ‘forever chemicals’ 12/05/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Qingguo “Jack” Huang always wanted to do one thing: solve problems. Growing up in a small city in central China, Huang’s favorite subject in elementary school was math, granting him the opportunity to work on many problems. In high school, his passion transitioned to science, where he learned he could feed those same interests in a way that benefited others. He was finishing high school in the 1980s when Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring made its way to Chinese newspapers, capturing Huang’s attention.
Georgia Simmons at the office of U.S. Sen. Warnock CAES News
Georgia 4-H alum, CAES student spends semester serving at the nation's Capitol 12/03/24 Josie Smith, Cooper Hardy
Third-year University of Georgia student and Banks County 4-H alum Georgia Simmons has been in the center of the political action this fall with the Georgia 4-H Washington DC Intern Program. Simmons, an environmental resource science major in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, works in the office of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. As an intern on his staff, she interacts directly with policy experts and lawmakers, participating in the legislative process while earning a semester of credit hours.
Longtime faculty member George Vellidis was named the first permanent director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. IIPA was launched in 2022 and has grown to include more than 70 faculty members. (Photo by Paul Privette for UGA CAES) CAES News
Vellidis named director of Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture 12/02/24 David Mitchell
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor George Vellidis has been named director of the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA). His term began on Nov. 1, and he will serve as the unit’s first permanent director. “Dr. Vellidis has been a vital member of our UGA faculty for years and played a key role in launching IIPA,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Whether it’s his impact as a first-class researcher and educator or the work he does behind the scenes to elevate our reputation in the field abroad, his presence has made UGA a hub for precision agriculture research.”
Mergoum at Creature Comforts CAES News
That's the spirit! 11/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras, Claire S. Kinnard
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Professional brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile.
TiftonCampusSunset2 CAES News
CAES Transfer Pathways Program expands enrollment access for rural students 11/12/24 Emily Cabrera
The Transfer Pathways Program is opening new doors for rural students who dream of attending the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Southern Regional Technical College, students who complete required coursework at these institutions can transfer to CAES to complete bachelor’s degrees in one of three majors — agribusiness, agricultural education, and agriscience and environmental systems.