Jing Xu

Jing Xu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in Forest and Bioressources. She holds positions in both teaching and research, focusing on innovative approaches to forest tree genetics and breeding.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Forest and Landscape Genetics from the University of Copenhagen (2014-2018), a Master's in Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding from Northwest A&F University in China (2011-2014), and a Bachelor's in Forestry from the same institution (2007-2011). She also completed a visiting scholarship at NC State University in the US during 2017-2018.

Dr. Xu's research focuses on developing faster solutions for forest tree breeding in response to climate change threats. Her work centers on breeding without breeding (BWB) techniques using DNA markers like microsatellites and SNPs to reconstruct pedigrees in production stands. She investigates tree-pathogen-insect-environment interactions to improve resistance traits and has developed innovative phenotyping methods using drone-based remote sensing for drought stress assessment in forest trees. Her research spans forest genetics, quantitative genetics, genomics, statistical analysis, forest pathology, and forest entomology.

Analysis of her publication record shows a strong focus on conifer genetics, particularly Nordmann fir and other Abies species, with significant contributions to Christmas tree production, disease resistance, and advanced breeding techniques. Her work demonstrates increasing application of genomic technologies to traditional forest tree breeding challenges.

• NordGen Forest-SNS scholarship (2023)

Dr. Xu has been actively involved in teaching since 2016, initially as a teaching assistant for bachelor courses in Genetics and Molecular Genetics, and currently lecturing in Genetics for bachelor students and Experimental Plant Science for master's students. She has presented her research at multiple international conferences and engaged in collaborations with institutions including Umeå Plant Science Centre and NC State University. Her work addresses critical challenges in forest resilience and sustainable tree production in the face of climate change.