Isaiah Pabuayon, an international researcher with years of plant genetics, breeding and molecular biology experience both in the Philippines and the U.S., has been named a research assistant professor within Texas Tech University’s Department of Plant & Soil Science, according to Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources officials. He officially stepped into his new post on Nov. 1.
“My aim is to study plant science with an integrative approach to discover and elucidate
genetic and biological mechanisms needed for the next generation of environment and
climate-resistant crops,” Pabuayon said.
“Increasing crop productivity despite reduced resources and marginal conditions is a priority for securing our future,” he said. “I hope and plan to discover new mechanisms on how plants adapt to suboptimal environments and harness those mechanisms for agriculture to improve production and reduce input requirements.”
Some specific topics Pabuayon’s research includes are studying novel transgressive rice genotypes for salinity tolerance, the role of chromatin remodelers for drought tolerance, and developing potential plant ideotypes to maximize plant performance and productivity under reduced input environments.
Prior to joining Texas Tech faculty, Pabuayon served as a postdoctoral research associate within Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science and Louisiana State University’s Department of Biological Sciences. He also worked as a graduate research assistant within Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science, and a molecular biology researcher with the International Rice Research Institute’s Plant Breeding, Genetics & Biotechnology Division in the Philippines.
Pabuayon’s bachelor’s degree in biology is from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. His doctoral degree in plant and soil science is from Texas Tech. Honors include being named George Tereshkovich Plant & Soil Science Outstanding Doctoral Graduate from Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science. He is a member of the Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.
CONTACT: Glen Ritchie, Professor and Chair, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-4325 or glen.ritchie@ttu.edu
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