Martin Mau

Dr. Martin Mau is the Genomics Laboratory Manager at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) within the University of Saskatchewan. He leads the Omics Resource Centre and manages the IntegrOmes initiative focused on sustainable animal agriculture. Holding a PhD in Natural Sciences from Heidelberg University and a Diploma in Biology from the University of Würzburg, his expertise lies in plant genomics, reproductive biology, and biotechnology. His research emphasizes understanding and harnessing asexual reproduction mechanisms in plants to enhance crop productivity and sustainability.

Education:

• PhD in Natural Sciences (with honors), Heidelberg University, Germany (2010s)
• Diploma in Biology, University of Würzburg, Germany

Research Interests: Dr. Mau investigates reproductive biology, comparative genomics, and plant breeding strategies. He focuses on apomixis (asexual seed production) in plants like Boechera and Brassica crops, aiming to improve agricultural practices through genetic innovation. His work includes large-scale genome studies to identify genes driving asexual traits and developing breeding strategies to stabilize hybrid vigor in crops like canola.

Grants & Projects: He has led/co-led projects such as the APOLLO initiative (IPK-USask collaboration), studies on pollen sorting in Boechera, and projects funded by ADF/SaskCanola, CLS, and the Government of Canada. These projects explore genetic pathways for female gametogenesis, apomixis transfer to crops, and mini-chromosome development in canola.

Labs/Teams: He oversees the Omics Resource Centre at WCVM, integrating genomic tools for agricultural research. His work bridges basic research and applied solutions for sustainable food systems.

Additional Interests: Enjoys outdoor activities and volunteers at the YMCA Saskatoon, reflecting his commitment to community engagement alongside scientific pursuits.