معرفی
Khalid Meksem is a Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Agricultural Systems at Southern Illinois University's College of Agricultural Sciences. He joined SIU as an Assistant Professor in 2000, advanced to Associate Professor in 2005, and was promoted to full Professor in 2009. His academic journey includes positions spanning over two decades at SIU where he has established himself as a leading researcher in plant genetics and genomics.
Dr. Meksem's educational background demonstrates international training in plant sciences:
- Ph.D. (1995) from the University of Cologne at the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Genetics and Breeding
- M.S. (1990) from the University of Paris XI, France, in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology and Plant Biotechnology
- B.S. (1989) from the University of Casablanca and the University of Fes, Morocco, in Biology and Genetics
His research focuses on the molecular dissection of plant disease resistance mechanisms, particularly against nematodes and fungi, with significant work on soybean and potato genetics. Dr. Meksem's laboratory investigates both structural and functional genomics, exploring genetic diversity and crop improvement through mutation breeding and the generation of alternative alleles. His work bridges fundamental plant science with practical agricultural applications, particularly in developing disease-resistant crop varieties.
Analysis of Dr. Meksem's publication history reveals a clear evolution from foundational genomic research to applied biotechnology. Early work focused on mapping disease resistance genes in soybean and potato, while more recent publications demonstrate a strategic shift toward developing transgenic solutions for agricultural challenges, particularly in modifying soybean oil composition and enhancing resistance to cyst nematodes. His research spans plant molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and agricultural biotechnology, with consistent emphasis on practical applications for crop improvement.
Dr. Meksem has received significant recognition for his research contributions:
- College of Agricultural Sciences Research Scholar award (2014)
- College of Agricultural Sciences Research Scholar award (2008)
As an active member of the scientific community, Dr. Meksem serves as an editor and ad hoc reviewer for numerous international scientific journals and for national, federal, and international granting agencies. His laboratory has produced over 60 refereed manuscripts and 3 book chapters, in addition to editing 3 books. Dr. Meksem's research program has been supported through multiple patents, with recent work focusing on soybean genetic engineering for improved oil profiles and nematode resistance. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with other institutions, including the University of Missouri, as evidenced by joint patent applications.
