Curtis Pozniak

Curtis Pozniak is a Professor and Director of the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources. He holds the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair in Durum and High-Yield Wheat Breeding and Genetics.

Education: Ph.D. and B.S.A. in Plant Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan.

Research focuses on wheat genetics, breeding, and production management, with specialties in durum wheat and high-yield varieties. Key interests include disease resistance (e.g., stem rust, Fusarium head blight), genomic tools for breeding, and improving crop resilience to abiotic stresses like drought.

Publications highlight advancements in wheat genome sequencing, molecular pathways for disease resistance, and genomic resources for global breeding programs. Recent work includes contributions to the bread wheat genome sequencing initiative and development of cultivars like CDC Terrain and CDC Evident.

Awards include the Honorary Life Membership from Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association (2024), Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022), and leadership recognition from the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (2019).

Led initiatives integrating genomics into breeding, including the Global Durum Wheat Genomic Resource and collaborative projects to enhance disease resistance and climate adaptability in wheat.