Benildo De los Reyes

Benildo De los Reyes is a Professor of Plant Genomics and Graduate Programs Director at the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, holding the Bayer CropScience Endowed Chair. His academic journey includes tenured positions at the University of Maine (2004–2012) and postdoctoral/graduate research at Michigan State University, Oklahoma State University, and Pennsylvania State University.

• Education:
  • B.S. in Biology (Genetics), University of the Philippines-Los Baños
  • M.S. in Genetics and Biochemistry, University of the Philippines-Los Baños & International Rice Research Institute
  • Ph.D. in Plant Science (Cellular and Molecular Biology), Oklahoma State University

His research focuses on genomic and epigenomic mechanisms driving transgressive traits in rice and crops like cotton and sorghum under abiotic stress. Using comparative omics analyses and genome editing, he aims to model regulatory networks for climate-resilient crop development. Key areas include:

• Regulon restructuring and regulatory RNA dynamics
• DNA methylation and gene expression patterns
• Translational research for stress tolerance in Texas agroecosystems

He leads the Reyes Genetics Lab and teaches PSS6001, a graduate course on molecular plant stress responses. The lab emphasizes integrating classical plant physiology with modern genomics to address the "10 Billion People Question" in agriculture.

Scientific Awards:

• Bayer CropScience Endowed Chair