Shuhao Yu

Shuhao Yu is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he has served since May 2022. He holds a PhD and MS in Crop Science and Horticulture from OSU, and a BS in Crop Science from Michigan State University and Grassland Science from Sichuan Agricultural University. His postdoctoral training at Texas A&M AgriLife Research focused on wheat genetics and genomics.

His research interests center on horticultural crop improvement, particularly in bermudagrass genetics and genomics, with emphasis on abiotic stress responses and trait-associated gene identification. Key areas include cold acclimation mechanisms, drought tolerance, and genetic dissection of morphological and reproductive traits in turfgrasses and cannabis.

Recent work highlights advancements in QTL mapping for winter survivability, salinity tolerance, and inflorescence development in cannabis. Yu has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on genomic resources, breeding strategies, and stress resilience in turfgrasses and cereals.

He leads or collaborates on grants investigating fertilizer effects on bermudagrass establishment, sod handling quality, and genetic variability in traffic tolerance. His research aligns with sustainable agriculture goals, including climate adaptation and reduced environmental impact.