Anita Kuepper

Anita Kuepper photo

Sustainability Leadership Fellow Cohort: 2016-2017

Ph.D. Student, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Management

Research Summary: My research focuses on the evolution of herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds. Specifically, I am investigating the mechanism of resistance in Indian hedge mustard and Palmer amaranth, both species which cause yield reductions due to crop competition. Using genetic and molecular techniques, my projects aim to find candidate genes that are involved in conferring herbicide resistance. This has the goal to develop diagnostic tools for the field, find novel traits for crop tolerance and inhibitors for resistance to ultimately optimize weed management practices and minimize economic losses for farmers. This will help secure food production for a growing world population.