Degao Liu

Dr. Degao Liu is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance within the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Breeding from China Agricultural University and previously served as a Researcher 5 at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Minnesota and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Research Focus: Dr. Liu’s lab focuses on developing high-throughput genome editing and synthetic biology technologies to enhance plant photosynthesis and abiotic stress tolerance. Key areas include tissue culture-independent gene-editing methods, CAM photosynthesis mechanisms, and sustainable solutions for food, bioenergy, and carbon sequestration. His work bridges fundamental plant biology with applied agricultural innovation.

Labs & Affiliations: He leads the Liu Lab and is affiliated with the Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance. His research is supported by collaborations within Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.

Advising & Grants: While specific student names/grants are not detailed, Dr. Liu actively mentors researchers and drives projects in plant stress biology and biotechnology.