Former Students from our Laboratory

Recently Graduated Graduate Students

Photo by Michael P. King/UW-Madison CALS

Katharina Wigg recently completed her Ph.D. working on Rhizoctonia solani resistance in table beet. Kat is now an onion breeder with Enza Zaden, based in California.

Emilee Gaulke recently finished her M.S. degree working on resistance to bacterial leaf spot in table beet and Swiss chard. Emilee is now with Illinois Foundation Seed in Harvard, Illinois.

Solveig Hanson recently completed her Ph.D. working on genetic aspects of flavor and culinary quality in table beet. Solveig has a B.A. from Grinnell College, and extensive experience as an organic farmer and the seed industry. She is now a postdoctoral scholar at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Claire Luby completed her Ph.D. in our program and worked a Faculty Associate on seed sovereignty and seed stewardship with Wisconsin tribes. She also taught introductory horticulture, Horticulture 120, in our department. Claire is currently a Research Geneticist for the USDA-ARS in Corvallis, Oregon, focusing on blueberry breeding and genetics.

Scott Brainard completed his Ph.D. in February, 2021 working on the genetic control of market class and root shape in carrot. Scott has an M.S. from Wageningen University and a B.A. from Swarthmore. Scott is now a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison working on hazelnut genetics and genomics.

Lynn Maher completed her Ph.D. working on bi-directional selection for geosmin in table beet. Lynn is currently a carrot breeder with Bejo Seeds

Chris D’Angelo completed his Ph.D. working on understanding dormancy and vernalization requirements in onion. Chris is currently a sweet corn and root crop breeder with Illinois Foundation Seeds

List of Graduate Students Trained and Degrees Granted