Chestnut Chat: Balancing High-Flying Ideas and Grounded Methods for Faster Genetic Gain
Balancing High-Flying Ideas and Grounded Methods for Faster Genetic Gain
Join us on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Eastern), for the next LIVE Chestnut Chat.
Our special guest, Dr. Jessica Rutkoski, is a quantitative geneticist and Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This presentation will cover practical predictive breeding approaches and testing design strategies aimed at accelerating population improvement for multiple traits. In addition, ways in which high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) could be applied to enhance breeding efficiency will be discussed. Throughout the talk, I will draw on my experience as a breeder and quantitative geneticist and provide insight on how to prioritize breeding methods for adoption.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE (via Zoom Webinar)
Pre-registration is required to attend this event. Pre-register here. After registering, you will receive an email with a unique URL link to join the event. You can also add the event to your calendar from the webinar registration approval page. The meeting will open 15 minutes prior to the start time to allow an audio and video test.
Presenter
Dr. Jessica Rutkoski
Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bio
Dr. Jessica Rutkoski is a small grains breeder and a quantitative geneticist. Jessica currently leads the winter wheat breeding program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her mission is to develop varieties that will help improve the profitability of wheat production in the eastern part of the Midwest and Midsouth. In line with this goal, Jessica’s scholarly research program develops and implements new ways to improve the efficiency of small grains breeding. Before joining the University of Illinois, Jessica worked at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), located in the Philippines and at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), located in Mexico.
