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Stephen R. King |
Ph.D., Cornell University, Plant Breeding, 1994
M.S., University of Arkansas, Agronomy, 1991
B.S., University of Arkansas, Agronomy, 1988
Dr. King is a Member of the Graduate Faculty of Texas A&M University, and can serve as a Chair, Co-chair or Member of Graduate Student Advising Committees.
Dr. King began his plant breeding career with Petoseed (which later became Seminis) in 1994. He worked on Eastern melons for the U.S. market and greenhouse cucumbers for Europe, developing several successful varieties in each crop. In 1997, he created and managed the Biotech Germplasm Development Group for Seminis. In this capacity, Dr. King conducted over 100 field and greenhouse trials of up to14 different genetically engineered vegetable crops for over 20 traits.
Dr. King joined the faculty of Texas A & M in September, 2002. His research interests include plant breeding and genetics with a special interest in developing applications for new technologies to solve specific problems in the industry or to address specific needs of the consumer. Dr. King will focus on breeding watermelon as his primary crop, but he will also work on other crops where there is a specific need. Initial projects will include a survey of lycopene and other health beneficial compounds in watermelon and to investigate the potential for increasing these health-promoting compounds through traditional approaches, and to investigate ways to improve seedless watermelon.
"Graduate students under my advisement will find that my approach takes
advantage of my broad industry experience in plant breeding and applied biotechnology.
My philosophy for solving challenging problems is to start with a solid basis
for the science of the problem followed with the passion to work hard on a solution
and the willingness to be a team player. Of these traits, passion is probably
the most important, so I encourage students to identify problems that they will
find challenging and rewarding to solve in areas where they want to become world-class
experts. I believe that the science of what we do can be taught in the classroom,
but the art can only be taught in the field."