People at the MCILab
go.ncsu.edu/readext?475995
Program Leader |
||
![]() |
Dr. Thomas G. Ranney, ProfessorArea of specialization: Plant breeding, new crop development, and daydreaming. Enjoys horticulture, photography, traveling, and hiking. Email: tom_ranney@ncsu.edu |
|
Research Associates |
||
![]() |
Dr. Darren H. TouchellArea of specialization: Plant tissue culture, micropropagation, plant breeding, molecular Email: darren_touchell@ncsu.edu |
|
Research Specialists |
||
![]() |
Tom Eaker, Senior Research Specialist (Retired)Area of specialization: Plant breeding, field production, special projects, and overall Email: tom_eaker@ncsu.edu |
|
![]() |
Nathan Lynch, Research SpecialistArea of specialization: Horticulture, plant breeding, cytogenetics, databases, technology applications, engineering, and laboratory manager. Sailor, hiker, biker, and all-around Renaissance man. Email: nathan_lynch@ncsu.edu |
|
![]() |
Andra Nus, Research AssistantArea of specialization: Horticulture, plant breeding, tissue culture. Interests in collections management and garden design. Plant geek, runner, world traveler and mom of three boys and two alpacas. Email: tadnus@yahoo.com |
|
![]() |
Irene Palmer, Research SpecialistArea of specialization: Horticulture, plant breeding, tissue culture, social media and out-reach. Interests in modular origami and the interaction between science and society. The intern then student has returned to us. Email: iepalmer@ncsu.edu |
|
Top
Current Graduate Students |
||
![]() |
Lauren Deans, M.S. StudentProjects: Interspecific hybridization in Hydrangea. Email: ledeans@ncsu.edu |
|
![]() |
Will Hembree, M.S. StudentProjects: Breeding and cytogenetics of Camellia and related genera. Email: will.hembree@gmail.com |
|
![]() |
Nate Maren, Ph.D. StudentProjects: Production, breeding, and gene editing of cold-hardy sugar canes. Manuscripts:
Email: namaren@ncsu.edu Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-maren-56407612 |
|
Staff at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station |
||
Exceptional support, for basic horticultural practices, is provided by the staff at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station: http://www.ncagr.gov/research/mhcrs.htm. A million thanks. | ||
Top
Alumni |
||
Former Graduate Students |
||
David L. Curtis
|
Thesis: Rooting and subsequent overwintering survival of stem cuttings of Stewartia ovata. Manuscript: Curtis, D.L., T.G. Ranney, F.A. Blazich, and E. P. Whitman II. 1996. Rooting and subsequent overwinter survival of stem cuttings of Stewartia ovata. J. Environ. Hort. 14:163-166. |
|
Patrick J. McGuigan
|
Thesis: Micropropagation of Stewartia pseudocamellia and propagation of selected species of Quercus by stem cuttings. Manuscripts:
|
|
Hunter L. Stubbs
|
Thesis: Propagation by stem cuttings and nitrogen nutrition of containerized Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’. Manuscripts:
|
|
Clifford Ruth
|
Project: Differential tolerance of holly taxa to flooding and poor drainage. Report: Ruth, C.D., T.G. Ranney, and E.P. Whitman, II. 1995. Flood tolerant hollies: Qualifiers for quagmires. Proc. SNA Res. Conf., 40th Annu. Rpt. p. 77-80. |
|
Cindy A. Patton
|
Thesis: Host plant resistance to Japanese beetles: Role of endogenous allelochemicals in plant defense.
Manuscripts:
Awards: 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 1996. |
|
Amy F. Fulcher
|
Thesis: Host plant resistance among Malus taxa to Japanese beetle, European red mite, and two spotted spider mite. Manuscript: Fulcher, A.F., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, J.F. Walgenbach, and D.A. Danehower. 1998. Role of foliar phenolics in host plant resistance of Malus taxa to adult Japanese beetles. HortScience 33:862-865. Awards: 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 1997. |
|
J. Dale Witt
|
Thesis: Biorational plant protectants for controlling adult Japanese beetles. Manuscript: Witt, J.D., S.L. Warren, T.G. Ranney, and J.R. Baker. 1999. Biorational and conventional plant protectants reduce feeding by adult Japanese beetles. J. Environ. Hort. 17(4):203-206. |
|
Jason J. Griffin
|
Thesis: Vegetative propagation and culture of Thuja ‘Green Giant’, Magnolia virginiana ‘Santa Rosa’, and Quercus phillyraeoides ‘Emerald Sentinel’.
Manuscripts:
|
|
Bradley T. Holland
|
Project: Evaluating recovery of Cupressaceae taxa after flooding at contrasting temperatures. Manuscript: Holland, B.T., S.L. Warren, and T.G. Ranney. 2003. Evaluating recovery of Cupressaceae taxa after flooding at contrasting temperatures. J. Environ. Hort. 21(1):51-55. |
|
Jason J. Griffin
|
Dissertation: Interactive effects of environmental stresses on photosynthesis. Manuscripts:
|
|
Andrew C. Bell
|
Dissertation: Host plant resistance to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) in the Rosaceae subfamily Maloideae. Manuscript: Bell, A.C., T.G. Ranney, T.A. Eaker, and T.B. Sutton. 2005. Resistance to fire blight among flowering pears and quince. HortScience 40(2):413-415. Awards: 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Ph.D., 2002; 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Ph.D., 2000. |
|
Richard T. Olsen
|
Dissertation: Utilizing polyploidy for developing improved nursery crops. Manuscripts:
Awards: ASHS, Krezdorn Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research and Writing, 2007; 1st Place, ASHS Warren S. Barham Ph.D. Graduate Student Paper, 2005; 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Ph.D., 2005; 1st Place, Southern Region IPPS, Student Research Competition, 2005; 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Ph.D., 2003. |
|
Ryan N. Contreras
|
Manuscripts:
Awards: 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2006; 1st Place, ASHS Southern Region Norman F. Childers, M.S., Research Competition, 2006. |
|
Elisabeth M. Meyer
|
Thesis. Evaluation, propagation, and improvement of Gordoniae trees and an interspecific Hypericum hybrid. Manuscripts:
Awards: 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2008; 1st place. SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2009. |
|
Jeff R. Jones
|
Manuscripts:
Awards: 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2007; 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2008. |
|
Clara E. Trueblood
|
Thesis: An invasive species assessment system for the North Carolina horticultural industry. Manuscript: Trueblood, C.E., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch, J.C. Neal, and R.T. Olsen. 2010. Evaluating fertility of triploid clones of Hypericum androsaemum L. for use as non-invasive landscape plants. HortScience 45(7):1026-1028. Awards: 1st place. Southern Weed Sci. Soc. Annual meeting, M.S. student presentation, 2009. |
|
Todd Rounsaville
|
Thesis: Cytogenetics, Micropropagation, and Reproductive Biology of Berberis, Mahonia, and Miscanthus. Manuscripts:
|
|
Kelly Oates
|
Thesis: Genetic Improvement of Rudbeckia and Evaluation of a New Triploid Campsis Cultivar. Manuscripts:
Awards: First Place, ASHS Southern Region Norman F. Childers, M.S., Graduate Student Research Competition, 2011. NCSU Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, 2011. |
|
Kevin Parris
|
Research: Micropropagation and cytogenetics of Magnolia. Manuscripts:
Awards: 1st place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2009; 1st place, SNA Research Conference, M.S., 2010. |
|
Jason Lattier
|
Thesis: Cytogenetics, micropropagation, and polyploid induction of selected nursery crops. Manuscripts:
Awards: Martin F. McLaren Scholar, 2009-2010; Syngenta Glenn Goldsmith Breeding Excellence Scholarship, 2011; Horticultural Research Institute Spring Meadow Nursery Scholarship, 2011; 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2012; First place, SR ASHS Norman F. Childers MS Student Competition, 2012. Blog: jasondlattier.blogspot.com |
|
Irene Palmer
|
Thesis: Breeding and Evaluation of Perennial Grasses for Landscape and Bioenergy Applications. Manuscripts:
Awards: 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Undergraduate, 2007; 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Undergraduate, 2008; 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2012; Syngenta Glenn Goldsmith Breeding Excellence Scholarship, 2012. |
|
Dominic Gillooly
|
Manuscripts:
Awards: 2nd Place, SR-ASHS Norman F. Childers, M.S., Research Competition, 2014; 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2015. Email: domgillooly@gmail.com |
|
Whitney Phillips
|
Thesis: Reproductive Biology, Tissue Culture, and Taxonomy of Selected Nursery Crops. Manuscripts:
Email: wdphilli@ncsu.edu |
|
Top
Former Interns |
||
Jon Roethling
|
Project: Breeding new nursery crops. Current Position: Horticulturist, High Point University. |
|
Irene Palmer
|
Project: Crossability, cytogentetics, and reproductive pathways in Rudbeckia subgenus Rudbeckia. Manuscripts: Palmer, I.E., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch, and R.E. Bir. 2009. Crossability, cytogenetics, and reproductive pathways in Rudbeckia subgenus Rudbeckia. HortScience 44(1):44-48. Awards: 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Undergraduate, 2007; 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Undergraduate, 2008 Current Position: Completed a MS program in plant breeding at NC State University. Currently a plant breeder at Garden Genetics, PA. |
|
Jason Lattier
|
Project: In vitro regeneration and polyploid induction of Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’. Manuscripts: Lattier, J.D., D.H. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, and Jeremy Smith. 2013. In vitro regeneration and polyploid induction of Acer platanoides L. ‘Crimson Sentry’. J. Environ. Hort. 31(4):246-252. Awards: Martin F. McLaren Scholar, 2009-2010 Current Position: Continued on to complete an MS program in plant breeding at NC State. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. program at Oregon State. |
|
Kim Shearer
|
Projects: 1) Interspecific and interploid hybridization among sympatric azaleas in the southern Appalachian Mountains. 2) Ploidy levels and relative genome sizes of species, hybrids, and cultivars or dogwood. Manuscripts:
Awards: 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, Undergraduate, 2013. Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, NSF-EDEN Research Award, and W. Scott and Mary Dell Chilton Award, 2013. Current Position: MS program at Oregon State University. |
|
David Roberts
|
Projects: Ploidy manipulation of interspecific dogwood hybrids Awards: Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, 2013. Current Position: Completed MS program at NC State University. Now, is the general manager and breeder for Plant Introductions, Inc with Bailey Nurseries |
|
Dominic Gillooly
|
Project: Survey of ploidy levels and relative genome sizes in Kalmia sp. Current Position: Completed MS in horticulture at NC State University. Now, is a research specialist at NC State working with Dr. Craig Yencho. |
|
Winston Beck
|
Projects: Ploidy Levels and interploid hybridization in panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). Manuscripts: Beck, W.T. and T.G. Ranney. 2014. Ploidy levels and interploid hybridization in panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). SNA Res. Conf., 59th Annu. Rpt. 59:296-300. Awards: Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, 2013. Current Position: Horticulturist at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. |
|
Will Hembree
|
Project: Determing ploidy and relative genome sizes in Deutzia spp.. Current Position: Completed a BS at University of Georgia and the Mclaren Fellowship with the Royal Horticultural Society Interchange Program. Currently, a MS student at NC State University. |
|
Laura Kaderabek
|
Project: Influence of induced polyploidy on fertility and morphology of Hydrangea macrophylla. Current Position: MS program in horticulture at NC State University. |
|
Connor Ryan
|
Project: Breeding and cytogenetics of Illicium. Current Position: Completing a MS in horticulture at the University of Georgia. |
|
Tracy Thomasson
|
Project: Breeding and cytogenetics of Aucuba. Current Position: Completing a BS in horticulture at NC State University. |
|
Lauren Deans
|
Project: Interspecific hybridization and ovule culture in Hydrangea. Current Position: Completing a MS in horticulture at NC State University. |
|
Kristen Neill
|
Project: Breeding cold-hardy pomegranates for the landscape. Current Position: Completing a BS in horticulture at NC State University. |
|
Top
Other Former Advisees |
||
Mark C. Starrett
|
Thesis: Sexual propagation and micropropagation of Pieris floribunda (mountain andromeda) and initial growth of seedlings of Rhododendron maximum (rosebay rhododendron) as influenced by day/night temperature. Under the direction of Drs. Stuart L. Warren and Frank A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. | |
Mack Thetford
|
Dissertation: Effects of uniconazole on morphological, anatomical, and physiological development of Forsythia x intermedia ‘Spectabilis’. Under the direction of Drs. Stuart L. Warren and Frank A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. | |
Mark C. Starrett
|
Dissertation. Isolation, storage, and use of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for improved acclimatization and subsequent growth of micropropagated Pieris floribunda. Under the direction of Dr. F. A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. | |
Laura G. Jull
|
Dissertation: Seed germination, seedling growth, and heat tolerance of Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides). Under the direction of Dr. F. A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. Related Manuscript: Jull, L.G., T.G. Ranney, and F.A. Blazich. 1999. Heat tolerance of selected provenances of Atlantic white cedar. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 124:492-497. |
|
Amy N. Wright
|
Dissertation: The physiology of landscape establishment of Kalmia latifolia. Under the direction of Drs. Stuart L. Warren and Frank A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. | |
F. Todd Lasseigne
|
Dissertation: Physiological responses of selected taxa of Salvia, Taxus, Cephalotaxus, and Syringa to heat and/or flooding. Under the direction of Drs. Stuart L. Warren and Frank A. Blazich. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. Related Manuscripts: Lasseigne, F.T., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 2007. Day/Night temperature influences growth and photosynthesis of cultivated Salvia taxa. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132(4):492-500. |
|
Jeffrey A. Adkins
|
Dissertation: Characterization and expression of FLORICAULA/LEAFY homologues in Buddleja davidii. Under the direction of Dr. Dennis Werner. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. |
|
Jessica G. Barb
|
Dissertation: Biochemical, Genetic, and Cytogenetic Studies of Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster). Under the direction of Dr. Dennis Werner. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. | |
Cary J. Hebret
|
Thesis: Seed Germination of Five Populations of Rhododendron vaseyi, Ploidy Manipulation of Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum Improved’ and the Effects of S-ABA on the Physiology and Marketability of Various Container-Grown Taxa During Short-Term Desiccation. Under the direction of Dr. Anthony V. LeBude. Thomas G. Ranney, committee member. Related Manuscript: Hebret, C.J., D.H. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, and A.V. LeBude. 2010. In vitro shoot regeneration and polyploidy induction of Rhododendron ‘Fragrantissimum Improved’. HortScience 45(4):801-80 |
|
Former Research Associate |
||
Dr. Zenaida Viloria |
Area of specialization: Plant tissue culture, plant breeding and genetics. Manuscript: Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and Z. Viloria. 2006. Reproductive behavior of induced allotetra |