Rebecca Smith is an assistant professor of translational plant science for dairy sustainability in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences and the Dairy Innovation Hub at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a co-investigator in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). She is a trainer in the agronomy, agroecology and plant breeding and plant genetics (PBPG) programs.
Graduate student (pictured above): Prior to joining Smith’s lab, Jane Wernow was a Research Specialist at the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center. She began work specializing in hemp transformation and she currently served on the Maize Research and Development team. Wernow is pursuing a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics at UW–Madison, with a continued focus on the intersection of plant science and biotechnology.
Brown midrib (bm) maize mutants are known for their improved forage digestibility, but they often suffer from poor plant growth, limiting their use on farms. This project aims to genetically enhance bm maize by restoring key cell wall traits only where they are needed, supporting healthy growth while keeping the digestibility benefits. Researchers will also explore ways to increase specific root polymers to boost carbon sequestration. The result will be improved maize varieties that offer both nutritional value and environmental benefits for Wisconsin dairy producers.