Program Leader

Dr. Thomas G. Ranney, Professor

Area of specialization: Plant breeding, new crop development, and daydreaming. Enjoys horticulture, photography, traveling, and hiking.

Email: tom_ranney@ncsu.edu
Web Site: https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/mcipeople/ranney/

Research Associates

Research Specialists

Tom Eaker, Senior Research Specialist (Retired)

Area of specialization: Plant breeding, field production, special projects, and overall
jack-of-all-trades. Master chef.

Nathan Lynch, Research Specialist

Area 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
Web Site: https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/mcipeople/nlynch/

Andra Nus, Research Assistant

Area 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
Web Site: https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/mcipeople/andranus/

Irene Palmer, Research Specialist

Area 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
Web Site: https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/mcipeople/iepalmer/

John Nix, Research Specialist

Area of specialization: Horticulture, plant breeding, tissue culture, social media and out-reach, plant acquisitions.

Email: jtnix@ncsu.edu
Web site: https://mcilab.ces.ncsu.edu/mcipeople/jtnix/

Current Graduate Students

Staff at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station

Alumni

Former Graduate Students

David L. Curtis
1995. M.S.

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
1995. M.S.

Thesis: Micropropagation of Stewartia pseudocamellia and propagation of selected species of Quercus by stem cuttings.

Manuscripts:

• McGuigan, P.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1996. Propagation of Quercus myrsinifolia and Quercus canbyi by stem cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 14:217-220.
• McGuigan, P.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1997. Micropropagation of Stewartia pseudocamellia. J. Environ. Hort. 15:65-68.

Hunter L. Stubbs
1996. M.S.

Thesis: Propagation by stem cuttings and nitrogen nutrition of containerized Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’.

Manuscripts:

• Stubbs, H.L., F.A. Blazich, T.G. Ranney, and S.L. Warren. 1997. Propagation of ‘Carolina Sapphire’ smooth Arizona cypress by stem cuttings: Effects of growth stage, type of cutting, and IBA treatment. J. Environ. Hort. 15:61-64.
• Stubbs, H.L., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1997. Nitrogen nutrition of containerized Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’. J. Environ. Hort. 15:80-83.

Clifford Ruth
1996. M.Ag.

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
1997. M.S.

Manuscripts:

• Patton, C.A., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, and J.F. Walgenbach. 1997. Natural pest resistance of Prunus taxa to feeding by adult Japanese beetles: Role of endogenous allelochemicals in host plant resistance. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 122:668-672.
• Patton, C.A., T.G. Ranney, J.D. Burton, and J.F. Walgenbach. 1997. Feeding responses of Japanese beetles to naturally occurring metabolites found in rosaceous plants. J. Environ. Hort. 15:222-227.

Awards: 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 1996.

Amy F. Fulcher
1997. M.S.

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
1998. M.S.

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
1999. M.S.

Manuscripts:

• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1998. Propagation ofThuja x’Green Giant’ by stem cuttings: Effects of growth stage, type of cuttting, and IBA treatment. J. Enivron. Hort. 16(4):212-214.
• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Propagation of Magnolia virginiana ‘Santa Rosa’ by semi-hardwood cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 17(1):47-48.
• Griffin, J.J., S.L. Warren, F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Nitrogen nutrition of containerized Thuja x’Green Giant’. J. Environ. Hort. 17(2):76-79.
• Griffin, J.J., F.A. Blazich, and T.G. Ranney. 1999. Shading and IBA treatment does not improve rooting of stem cuttings of Quercus phillyraeoides ‘Emerald Sentinel’. Environ. Hort. 17(3):123-125.

Bradley T. Holland
2002. M. Hort.

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
2002. Ph.D.

Dissertation: Interactive effects of environmental stresses on photosynthesis.

Manuscripts:

• Griffin, J.J., T.G. Ranney, and D.M. Pharr. 2004. Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and carbohydrate content of Illicium taxa grown under varied irradiance. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129(1):46-53.
• Griffin, J.J., T.G. Ranney, and D.M. Pharr. 2004. Heat and drought influence photosynthesis, water relations, and soluble carbohydrates of two ecotypes of redbud (Cercis canadensis).
  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 129(4):497-502.

Andrew C. Bell
2004. Ph.D.

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
2006. Ph.D.

Dissertation: Utilizing polyploidy for developing improved nursery crops.

Manuscripts:

• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and C.S. Hodges. 2006. Susceptibility of Catalpa, Chilopsis, and hybrids to powdery mildew and catalpa sphinx larvae. HortScience 41(7):1629-1634.
• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and Z. Viloria. 2006. Reproductive behavior of induced allotetraploid xChitalpa and in vitro embryo culture of polyploidy progeny. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(6):716-724.
• Olsen, R.T., T.G. Ranney, and D.J. Werner. 2006. Fertility and inheritance of variegated and purple foliage across a polyploid series in Hypericum androsaemum L. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(6):725-730. (JASHS cover).

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
2006. M.S.

Thesis: Azaleodendrons: Investigating parentage, fertility, and effects of polyploidy among hybrids of deciduous azaleas and evergreen rhododendrons.

Manuscripts:

• Contreras, R.N., T.G. Ranney, and S.P. Tallury. 2007. Reproductive behavior of diploid and allotetraploid Rhododendron L. ‘Fragrant Affinity’. HortScience 42(1):31-34.
• Contreras, R.N., T.G. Ranney, S.R. Milla-Lewis, and G.C. Yencho. 2007. Investigating parentage and hybridity of three azaleodendrons using AFLP analysis. HortScience 42(3):740-743.

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
2009. M.S.

Thesis. Evaluation, propagation, and improvement of Gordoniae trees and an interspecific Hypericum hybrid.

Manuscripts:

• Meyer, E.M., T.G. Ranney, and T.A. Eaker. 2009. Differential resistance of Gordonieae trees to Phytophthora cinnamomi. HortScience 44(5): 1484-1486.
• Meyer, E.M., A.V. LeBude, and T.G. Ranney. 2009. Vegetative propagation of Gordonieae trees by stem cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 27(4):191-194.
• Meyer, E.M., D.H. Touchell, and T.G. Ranney. 2009. In vitro shoot regeneration and polyploid induction from leaves of Hypericum species. HortScience 44(7):1957-1961.

Awards: 3rd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2008; 1st place. SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2009.

Jeff R. Jones
2008. M.S.

Thesis: Investigating prevalence, induction, and fertility of polyploid Rhododendron L. and the development of protocols for vegetative propagation.

Manuscripts:

• Jones, J.R., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch, and S.L. Krebs. 2007. Ploidy levels and relative genome sizes of diverse species, hybrids, and cultivars of rhododendron. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 61(4):220-227.
• Jones, J.R., T.G. Ranney, and T.A. Eaker. 2008. A novel method for inducing polyploidy in Rhododendron seedlings. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 62(3):130-135.
• Jones, J.R. and T.G. Ranney. 2009. Fertility of neoppolyploid Rhododendron and occurrence of unreduced gametes in triploid cultivars. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 63(3): 131-135.
• Jones, J.R., A.V. LeBude, and T.G. Ranney. 2010. Vegetative propagation of Oconee azalea (Rhododendron flammeum) by stem cuttings and mound layering. J. Environ. Hort. 28(2):69-73.

Awards: 1st Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2007; 2nd Place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2008.

Clara E. Trueblood
2009. M.S.

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
2011 M.S.

Thesis: Cytogenetics, Micropropagation, and Reproductive Biology of Berberis, Mahonia, and Miscanthus.

Manuscripts:

• Rounsaville, T.J. and T.G. Ranney. 2010. Ploidy levels and genome sizes of Berberis L. and Mahonia Nutt. species, hybrids, and cultivars. HortScience 45(7):1029-1033.
• Rounsaville, T.J., D.H. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, and F.A. Blazich. 2011. Micropropagation of Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’. HortScience 46(7):1010-1014.
• Rounsaville, T.J., D.H. Touchell, and T.G. Ranney. 2011. Fertility and reproductive pathways in diploid and triploid Miscanthus sinensis. HortScience 46(10):1353-1357. (HortScience Cover)

Kelly Oates
2011 M.S.

Thesis: Genetic Improvement of Rudbeckia and Evaluation of a New Triploid Campsis Cultivar.

Manuscripts:

• Oates, K.M., T.G. Ranney, D.H. Touchell. 2012. Influence of Induced Polyploidy on Fertility and Morphology of Rudbeckia Species and Hybrids. HortScience 47(9):1217-1221.
• Oates, K.M, D.H Touchell, T.G Ranney. 2013. Induced Variation in Tetraploid Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ Regenerated from Gamma-irradiated Callus. HortScience 48(7):831-834.
• Oates, K.M., T.G. Ranney, D.H. Touchell, Z. Viloria. 2014. Campsis ×tagliabuana ‘Chastity’: A Highly Infertile Triploid Trumpet Vine. HortScience 49(3):343-345.

Awards: First Place, ASHS Southern Region Norman F. Childers, M.S., Graduate Student Research Competition, 2011. NC State Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, 2011.

Kevin Parris
2011 M.S.

Research: Micropropagation and cytogenetics of Magnolia.

Manuscripts:

• Parris, J.K., T.G. Ranney, H.T. Knap, and W.V. Baird. 2010. Ploidy levels, relative genome sizes, and base pair composition in magnolia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135(6):533-547.
• Parris, J.K., D.H. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, and J. Adelberg. 2012. Basal Salt Composition, Cytokinins, and Phenolic Binding Agents Influence In Vitro Growth and Ex Vitro Establishment of Magnolia ‘Ann’. HortScience 47(11):1625-1629.

Awards: 1st place, SNA Student Research Conference, M.S., 2009; 1st place, SNA Research Conference, M.S., 2010.

Jason Lattier
2012 M.S.

Thesis: Cytogenetics, micropropagation, and polyploid induction of selected nursery crops.

Manuscripts:

• Lattier, J.D., J.F.Harbage, M. Taylor, A. Petravich. 2008. Embryo rescue of rare Camellia azalea hybrids. 2008 Camelia Handbook, Longwood, p. 34-44.
• Lattier, J.D., T. Anisko. 2008. The true colors of Ninebark, part 1. American Nurseryman,
  p. 20-27.
• Lattier, J.D., T. Anisko. 2008. The true colors of Ninebark, part 2. American Nurseryman,
  p. 36-43.
• Lattier, J.D., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch. 2013. History and Cytological Reassessment of Rhododendron canadense. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 67(2):92-98.
• Lattier, J.D., D.H. Touchell, T.G. Ranney, J.C. Smith. 2013. Micropropagation and Polyploid Induction of Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’. J. Environ. Hort. 31(4):246-252.
• Lattier, J.D., T.G. Ranney, P.R Fantz, T. Avent. 2014. Identification, Nomenclature, Genome Sizes, and Ploidy Levels of Liriope and Ophiopogon Taxa. HortScience 49(2):145-151.

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
Email: jdlattier@gmail.com

Irene Palmer
2013 M.S.

Thesis: Breeding and Evaluation of Perennial Grasses for Landscape and Bioenergy Applications.

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.
• Palmer, I.E., R.J. Gehl, T.G. Ranney, D. Touchell, and N. George. 2014. Biomass yield, nitrogen response, and nutrient uptake of perennial bioenergy grasses in North Carolina. Biomass & Bioenergy 63:218-228.

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.

Blog: http://www.sikokianum.blogspot.com

Dominic Gillooly
2016 M.S.

Thesis: Genome Sizes and Ploidy Levels in the Genus Kalmia and In Vitro Polyploid Induction of Ophiopogon planiscapus.

Manuscripts:

• Ranney, T. and D. Gillooly. 2014. New insights into breeding and propagating magnolias. Proc. Combined Inter. Plant Propagators’ Soc. 64:441-449.
• Gillooly, D.A. and T.G. Ranney. 2015. Genome sizes and ploidy levels in the genus Kalmia. HortScience 50(10):1426-1428.
• Gillooly, D.A., D.H. Touchell, and T.G. Ranney. 2015. In vitro polyploid induction of Ophiopogon planiscapus. SNA Res. Conf., 60th Annu. Rpt. 60:181-185.

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
2016 M.S.

Thesis: Reproductive Biology, Tissue Culture, and Taxonomy of Selected Nursery Crops.

Manuscripts:

• Phillips, W.D., T.G. Ranney, D.H. Touchell, and T.A. Eaker. 2015. Developing non-invasive callery pears: Fertility and reproductive biology of triploid cytotypes. SNA Res. Conf., 60th Annu. Rpt. 60:205-208.

Email: whitney@phyllatech.com

Will Hembree
2018 M.S.

Thesis: Cytogenetics of Camellia and Related Genera and Identification, Genome Sizes, and Ploidy Levels of Deutzia.

Manuscripts:

• • Hembree, W.G., T.G. Ranney, B.E. Jackson and M. Weathington. 2019. Cytogenetics, Ploidy, and Genome Sizes of Camellia and Related Genera. HortScience 54(7):1124–1142. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13923-19
  • Hembree, W.G., T.G. Ranney, N.P. Lynch and B.E. Jackson. 2020. Identification, genome sizes, and ploidy of Deutzia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS04779-19

Lauren Deans
2020 MHS.

• Deans, L.E., I.E. Palmer, D.H. Touchell and T.G. Ranney. 2021. In Vitro Induction and Characterization of Polyploid Hydrangea macrophylla and H. serrata. HortScience 56(6):709-715. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15783-21.

Nate Maren
2020 Ph.D.

Thesis: Characterization and Improvement of Novel Bioenergy Grasses (Tripidium spp.).

Manuscripts:

• • Maren, N., F. Zhao, R. Aryal, D. Touchell, W. Liu, T. Ranney, and H. Ashrafi. 2021. Reproductive developmental transcriptome analysis of Tripidium ravennae (Poaceae). BMC Genomics 22:483. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-021-07641-y.
  • Zhao, T., F. Zhao, N. Maren, P. Kosentka, Y. Liao, H. Lu, J. Duduit, D. Huang, H. Ashrafi, T. Zhao, A. Huerta, T. Ranney, and W. Liu. 2021. An optimized protocol for stepwise optimization of real time RT PCR analysis. Hort. Res. 8:179. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-021-00616-w
  • Duan, H., N.A. Maren, T.G. Ranney, and W. Liu. 2022. New opportunities for using WUS/BBM and GRF-GIF genes to enhance genetic transformation of ornamental plants. Ornamental Plant Res. 2:4. doi: 10.48130/OPR-2022-0004
  • Maren, N.A., H. Duan, K. Da, G.C. Yencho, T.G. Ranney, and W. Liu. 2022. Genotype-independent plant transformation. Hort. Res. 9:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhac047
• Maren, N.A., J.R. Duduit, D. Huang, F. Zhao, T.G. Ranney, and W. Liu. 2023. Stepwise optimization of real-time RT-PCR analysis, in: B.T. Kurien and R.H. Scofield (eds.), Plant genome engineering, Methods in Molecular Biology. Stepwise Optimization of Real-Time RT-PCR Analysis | SpringerLink

Social media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-maren-56407612

Davis Harmon
2022 M.S.

Thesis: Tissue Culture, Transformation, and Cytogenetics of Rose (Rosa hybrida)

Manuscripts:

• Harmon, D.D., D.H. Touchell, and T.G. Ranney. 2022. Tissue culture and regeneration of three rose cultivars. HortScience 57(11):1430-1435
• Harmon, D.D., H. Chen, D. Byrne, W. Liu, and T.G. Ranney. 2023. Cytogenetics, ploidy, and genome sizes of rose (Rosa spp.) cultivars and breeding lines. Ornamental Plant Res. 3:10 https://doi.org/10.48130/OPR-2023-0010

John Nix
2023 M.S.

Thesis: Flow Cytometry for Estimating Plant Genome Size: Revisiting Assumptions, Sources of Variation, Confounding Factors, and Interpretations, Ploidy Manipulation of Cercis canadensis Seedlings, and the Use of ITS Region Polymorphisms to Confirm Interspecific Hybridity.

Email: jtnix@ncsu.edu

Former Interns

Jon Roethling
2006

Project: Breeding new nursery crops.

Current Position: Horticulturist, High Point University.

Irene Palmer
2007-2010

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
2009

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
2011-2013

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:

• Shearer, K., T.G. Ranney, R. Miller, and C. Tower. 2012. Pentanthera Webs: Interspecific and Interploid Hybridization among Sympatric Azaleas in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 66(4): 187-197.
• Shearer, K. and T.G. Ranney. 2013. Ploidy levels and relative genome sizes of species, hybrids, and cultivars of dogwood (Cornus spp.). HortScience 48(7):825-830.

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
2012

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
2013

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
2013

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
2014

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
2014

Project: Influence of induced polyploidy on fertility and morphology of Hydrangea macrophylla.

Current Position: MS program in horticulture at NC State University.

Connor Ryan
2015

Project: Breeding and cytogenetics of Illicium.

Current Position: Completing a MS in horticulture at the University of Georgia.

Tracy Thomasson
2015

Project: Breeding and cytogenetics of Aucuba.

Current Position: Completing a BS in horticulture at NC State University.

Lauren Deans
2016

Project: Interspecific hybridization and ovule culture in Hydrangea.

Current Position: Completing a MS in horticulture at NC State University.

Kristen Neill
2016

Project: Breeding cold-hardy pomegranates for the landscape.

Current Position: Completing a BS in horticulture at NC State University.

Other Former Advisees

Mark C. Starrett
1992. M.S.

Mack Thetford
1993. Ph.D.

Mark C. Starrett
1996. Ph.D.

Laura G. Jull
1998. Ph.D.

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
2002. Ph.D.

F. Todd Lasseigne
2004. Ph.D.

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
2005, Ph.D.

Jessica G. Barb
2007, Ph.D.

Cary J. Hebret
2010, M.S.

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