Robert Zemetra

Robert Zemetra is a Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University, specializing in plant breeding and genetics, particularly wheat and hemp. He holds the W.E. Kronstad Endowed Chair of Wheat Research (2011) and received the James and Mildred Oldfield/E.R. Jackman Team Award (2022). His research focuses on crop improvement, disease resistance, and genetic analysis, with notable contributions to wheat breeding and QTL mapping. He has mentored 9 graduate students, including Kali Brandt and Susanne Trittinger, and developed 10 wheat varieties. Additionally, he contributes to the Global Hemp Innovation Center, exploring hemp’s potential for fiber, CBD, and medical applications.

Professional Accomplishments include over 24 peer-reviewed publications and leadership roles in organizations like the National Wheat Improvement Committee. His work spans plant genetics, biofuel development, and sustainable agriculture, addressing challenges like herbicide resistance and fungal pathogens. Recent research highlights QTL analysis for stripe rust resistance and CRISPR-based wheat transformation methods.