Morten Lillemo

Morten Lillemo is a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Faculty of Science and Technology. His work bridges plant genetics and plant breeding, with a strong focus on improving cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and oats through molecular and genetic approaches.

His research interests lie at the intersection of genetics and agronomy, particularly in understanding and enhancing resistance to major biotic and abiotic stresses. Key areas include QTL mapping, resistance breeding, and the molecular genetics of host-pathogen interactions. He leads significant research projects on diseases like powdery mildew, leaf blotch, and Fusarium head blight, as well as traits such as pre-harvest sprouting resistance and waterlogging tolerance in cereals.

Much of his research is conducted in collaboration with Graminor, a leading plant breeding company, and has directly enabled the implementation of marker-assisted selection in Norwegian wheat breeding programs, validating molecular markers for use in breeding pipelines. This translational research demonstrates strong industry-academia integration and practical impact.

While no specific awards are listed in the available text, his sustained research leadership and publication record indicate significant contributions to the field of plant science and breeding. He is actively involved in research but no information is available regarding student supervision or grant funding in the provided content.

His work contributes to advancing sustainable cereal production through genetic improvement, focusing on resilience and yield stability under stress conditions. No details about laboratories or research teams are mentioned in the source text.