Franck Dayan

Franck Dayan is a Professor and Nutrien Distinguished Scholar in Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University's Department of Agricultural Biology. With over 20 years of research experience including USDA-ARS, he leads a program integrating functional plant genomics with herbicide science. His work spans herbicide mode of action, metabolic resistance in weeds, and genomic analysis of weediness traits in plants like wheat. He teaches courses including Herbicide Selectivity and Plant Biochemistry.

His research focuses on plant biochemistry, herbicide resistance mechanisms, chemical ecology, and functional plant genomics—bridging applied weed science and metabolic pathway analysis.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong emphasis on herbicide resistance mechanisms (particularly auxin-mimics), novel bioherbicide discovery, and genetic adaptations in weeds. Key trends include metabolic detoxification pathways and transposable element involvement in resistance.

Awards include:

• Nutrien Distinguished Professor (2021)
• CAS Summit Team Research Award (2019)
• Outstanding Research Award, WSSA (2015)
• Multiple USDA-ARS scientist honors

He advises several graduate students including PhD candidates in Agricultural Biology. Current lab members include Srishti Gupta and Catherine Traxler, with former advisees like Abigail Barker and Hudson Takano. His Weed Science Lab conducts genomic and biochemical research.