Thaxton Lab:
Dr. Peggy Thaxton
Presently I am co-leader with Dr. Wayne Smith in the Cotton Improvement Laboratory (CIL). Responsibilities include the genetic improvement of cotton germplasm through classical and molecular techniques. Areas of interest are host plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, yield potential, fiber quality, agronomic traits, and morphological characteristics such as smooth leaves and stems, nectariless leaves and bracts, and subokra leaf shape. Other responsibilities include providing leadership in coordination of the cotton improvement laboratory with research and extension colleagues throughout the state and the cotton belt, and management, administration, and supervision of staff and several temporary assistants.
Current activities include interacting and collaborating with researchers from other disciplines. The cotton improvement program includes laboratory, greenhouse, and field testing throughout Texas, and collaboratively with public cotton breeders in other states. Basic research involves studying the genetics and nature of resistance in cotton to seed-seedling diseases; germination under low temperatures; drought stress; yield components; fiber quality; and genotype x environment interaction. The CIL seeks to broaden the genetic base of cotton by use of exotic germplasm ((interspecific hybrids with G. barbadense, G. mustelinum and G. tomentosum, converted race stocks (CRS) and mutagenesis)), and will build a foundation for future genotypes with improved yield, fiber, disease, insect and drought resistance.
Extensive research has been conducted into bacterial blight resistance and developing cultivars with near immunity to the bacterial blight races known in the U.S. and caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv malvacearum. Bacterial blight cultures and host differential seed are maintained and distributed to other scientists worldwide for developing germplasm resistant to bacterial blight. Multiple blight races and host differential seed have been provided to approximately 90 scientists in eight countries since 1980. With 18 races of bacterial blight, about 40 isolates of the pathogen are maintained and regularly update their race identification using host differentials. Race identification of disease tissue is identified to verify that new and more virulent races have not evolved.
As co-director of the “MAR” program, 1985-2001, extensive research was conducted and reported relative to the races of bacterial blight in the U.S. and on pathotypes of the seed-seedling pathogen complex. Cultivars and genotypes having immunity to bacterial blight, excellent yield potential, and exceptional early maturity were developed and released for commercial production (cultivars) and distributed (germplasm) to private cotton breeders in the United States.
This research has resulted in the co-release of 8 cultivars and 30 germplasm lines since 1985. This germplasm pool has been used extensively by most private and public breeding program in the U.S. and in many programs around the world. I am presently serving on 6 graduate student committees. I received the Cotton Genetics Research Award in 2004 at the Cotton Beltwide Conference.
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Rasheedah Richardson
I am a native of San Antonio, Texas. I received my B.A. in Biology and Minor in Chemistry from Texas A&M University in 2002. Currently, I am a Master’s student in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture studying curriculum and instruction practices within the secondary science classroom. I acknowledged my desire to become a biology teacher as an undergraduate working in a Microbiology laboratory. The intricate ‘workings’ of the life around us everyday is astounding. As the saying goes, “Take some time to stop and smell the roses”, but if that isn’t enough, “Take some time to research roses”. My future plans include teaching biology, and working with TAMU to bring more authentic scientific research practices and skills to middle and high school science classrooms.
Justin Duncan
I was born in Stuttgart, Germany of an American soldier and a German national. My multicultural upbringing gave me a circumspect view of the world. Upon leaving the US Army I decided that I would choose a career that I would enjoy as opposed to one that would make me rich because my happiness as a person is more important than any amount of money. When I was a child I had always admired my father for his yards and gardens. He won yard of the month consistently in our neighborhood. I kidnapped his plants in the front yard to start my own garden in the back yard. As those were my happiest times I chose horticulture as a career choice. Upon entering Prairie View A&M University I learned of even greater discipline: Agronomy! Agronomy feeds and clothes the world, while horticulture makes this a world worth living in. Now I am at Texas A&M Univerity as a graduate student in Plant Breeding and Genetics with the hope of returning to my Alma Mater to start a breeding program there.
