Mario Andrade

Mario Andrade is an Assistant Professor of Potato Breeding and Genetics at the University of Maine, affiliated with the School of Food and Agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. from Universidade Federal de Lavras (Brazil, 2019). His research focuses on developing potato varieties for the eastern U.S., emphasizing disease resistance (e.g., late blight, scab, potato virus Y), tuber yield/quality, and sustainable breeding techniques. He teaches Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Plant Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, 2019

Research: Combines conventional and modern methods like genomic selection and phenotyping. Key areas include breeding russet/fry-processing potatoes, heat tolerance, and improving breeding efficiency through spatial analysis and genomic tools. Current projects target resistance against pathogens and adaptation to subtropical/tropical climates.

Publications: Recent work spans genomic studies in cowpea, alfalfa, and pine, with a focus on trait prediction and family bulk analysis. His potato research addresses spacing optimization, virus resistance, and environmental stress resilience.

Labs/Teams: Leads a lab dedicated to potato variety development and sustainable agriculture practices. Collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving quantitative genetics and crop improvement.