Mark Brand

Mark Brand is a Professor of Horticulture and Plant Breeding, and Nursery Extension Specialist at the University of Connecticut (UConn), specifically within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. He holds a PhD (1988), MS (1985), and BS (1982) in Ornamental Horticulture from The Ohio State University and Cornell University.

His research focuses on ornamental plant breeding, sustainable woody landscape plants, and Aroniaberry fruit production. Key projects include developing sterile Japanese barberry cultivars, compact butterfly bushes, and cold-hardy rhododendrons. He also leads studies on hemp micropropagation and Aronia genetics. Brand has produced over 30 new plant introductions and holds multiple patents, including cultivars like 'Darkstar®' and 'Jade Parade™'.

Brand's recent awards include the IPPS Eastern Region Fellowship (2018), the Mehrhoff Award (2018), and inclusion in the National Academy of Inventors (2017). His work emphasizes ecological sustainability, with a focus on reducing invasiveness and enhancing plant performance in challenging environments.

He collaborates on industrial hemp research, optimizing tissue culture and developing feminized seeds. Current projects target Pieris, Clethra, and native shrubs. Brand is actively mentoring graduate students and contributes to initiatives like the NativeStar® series of improved native shrubs.