Russ Jessup
Dr. Russell W. Jessup (Associate Professor) leads the Perennial Grass & Industrial Hemp Breeding programs within the Department of Soil & Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University. Research efforts target diverse hemp (cannabinoid: grain: fiber) and grass (forages, biomass, turfgrasses, ornamentals) feedstocks, as well as emerging bio-based material commodities (biofuels, biosilica, bioplastics, biocomposites, etc.) in parallel with hybrids optimized for C-sequestration and resource-use-efficiency. The program routinely utilizes traditional, cytogenetic, physiological, and molecular tools.
Dr. Jessup grew up in the Texas Hill Country, served in the US Army (1993-1995), completed his PhD at Texas A&M University (2005), held a post-doctoral position in the USDA-ARS (2005-2007), worked for Mendel Biotechnology as a biofuel feedstock breeder (2007-2009), and returned to Texas A&M University in 2009.
Dr. Jessup teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses (web-based, blended, honors) focusing on plant-based renewable bioproducts, intellectual property in plant sciences, and turfgrass science.
