Rebecca Grumet

Rebecca Grumet is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at Michigan State University, where she has served since July 1987. She dedicates 84 % of her appointment to research and 16 % to teaching, leading nationally recognized projects such as the USDA-SCRI CucCAP initiative.

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Duke University, 1985–1987
• Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1985
• M.S., Michigan State University, 1980
• B.S., Cornell University, 1978

Research Interests

Dr. Grumet’s laboratory integrates molecular genetics, genomics, and transgenic technologies to advance understanding of fruit development and disease resistance in Cucumis crops (cucumber and melon). Core emphases include:

• Early-stage fruit growth determinants: size, shape, cuticle formation, and surface properties
• Resistance against Phytophthora capsici, a devastating oomycete pathogen
• Biotechnology biosafety, spanning risk assessment research, international policy development, and capacity-building projects funded by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

As Principal Investigator of the CucCAP project, she coordinates a multi-institutional effort to deliver genomic and bioinformatic toolkits that accelerate breeding for durable disease resistance across the Cucurbitaceae.

Scientific Awards & Recognition

No specific awards are listed in the provided text; however, her sustained funding (e.g., USDA-SCRI grants totaling over $13 million) and extensive publication record (1997–2024) underscore her prominence in the field.

Advising & Grant Portfolio

While individual student names are not disclosed, Professor Grumet mentors graduate students and postdocs in the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology program. She currently leads or co-leads multi-million-dollar federal grants, including:

• USDA-SCRI CucCAP renewal ($7.1 million, 2020)
• Initial USDA-SCRI CucCAP award ($6.5 million, 2015)

Laboratory & Team

The Grumet Lab operates within the Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology focus area at MSU. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for molecular genetics, genomics, and transformation of cucumber and melon, collaborating broadly with domestic and international partners to translate research into resilient cucurbit cultivars.