“Jerry is a creative, impactful leader who is successfully stewarding a large team of scientists from multiple institutions and disciplines as head of CBI. He has a remarkable ability to help shape and oversee science-to-solution advances that are critical to our mission of achieving a sustainable future in which our nation is prosperous and secure,” said Paul Langan, director of Biological and Environmental Systems Science at ORNL.
Tuskan is an internationally recognized expert in plant biology and genomics who led a large, multi-institutional team of scientists in sequencing the first-ever tree genome, a fast-growing poplar tree considered a primary woody energy crop for next-generation biofuel — an achievement that was featured on the cover of Science. He also developed the first woody plant genome-wide association population. His achievements have enabled gene-to-phenotype discoveries for hardy crops requiring less water and fertilizer, for beneficial plant-microbe interactions, and increased natural carbon storage.
He has authored more than 310 peer-reviewed publications, with more than 23,500 citations and an h-index of 70, according to Clarivate’s Web of Science. He holds 16 patents and has been recognized as a Battelle Distinguished Inventor, among other honors. Tuskan holds a doctorate in genetics from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in forest genetics from Mississippi State University, and a bachelor’s degree in forest management from Northern Arizona University.
Tuskan has mentored dozens of postdoctoral research associates throughout his career and co-manages the CBI Early Career Development Program, in which young scientists receive a tailored research experience while also gaining leadership skills. Tuskan also oversees an award-winning community outreach program at CBI that has educated hundreds of thousands of students and families about bioenergy, climate mitigation pathways, and clean energy workforce opportunities.
As part of the Distinguished Scientist Fellow program, Tuskan will participate in a lecture series of the 2024 Fellows. His talk is scheduled for November 19, 2024, from 1:30 to 3 pm Eastern, and will be broadcast live. Participants may register to attend virtually.
For more information about the program, please visit the Distinguished Scientist Fellows website.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
This Oak Ridge National Laboratory news article "Tuskan named DOE Office of Science Distinguished Scientist Fellow" was originally found on https://www.ornl.gov/news