Zenglu Li

2021 D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in Research

Zenglu Li is the Georgia Seed Development Professor in Soybean Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Li joined UGA faculty in April 2012 after working as a research scientist  with DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto Company.  Li’s research interests are focused on development of soybean varieties using an integrated classical and molecular breeding approach; discovery of innovative genetic and genomic solutions to abiotic and biotic limitations of soybean productivity; and utilization of genomic and phenomic technologies to improve selection efficiency and to accelerate breeding cycles. He led building a “breeder-friendly” high-throughput molecular breeding platform and implemented practical strategies for selection of yield, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance and seed composition. He is a recognized leader in integrating classical breeding with genomic technology to develop improved cultivars and germplasm. He serves as a member of the World Soybean Research Conference Continuing Committee and is an associate editor of the journals BMC Genomics, Molecular Breeding and Crop Science.