Prof. Steven J. Knapp

Prof. Steven J. Knapp
UC Davis

Steven J. Knapp is Distinguished Professor and Director of the Strawberry Breeding Program , Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis.  He is an expert on plant breeding, quantitative genetics, and genomics and has extensive experience with single-cross hybrid breeding systems in heterotic species.  His past research primarily focused on the breeding, genetics, and genomics of sunflower, peanut, and industrial oilseeds.  His current research focuses on strawberry, with emphases on developing high-yielding disease resistant cultivars, breeding and genetics of fruit quality and shelf-life traits, the development of genomic and bioinformatic resources, and the application of genome-informed breeding approaches in strawberry.  He was previously Global Director of Vegetable Breeding Technology at Monsanto (2009-2015), Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at the University of Georgia (2004-2009), and Professor and Paul C. Berger Endowed Chair at Oregon State University (1985-2004).  He teaches Quantitative Genetics at UC Davis (2015-Present) and previously taught Advanced Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics at OSU (1985-2004).