Seth C. Murray
Assistant Professor of Quantitative Genetics
Ph.D., Cornell University, 2008
Email: sethmurray@tamu.edu
Voice: 979.845.3469
Office: Agronomy Field Lab
Research. primary focus of my program is maize breeding and genetics for improvement in Texas. This includes Aspergillus (aflatoxin) resistance, improved grain quality, and heat & drought stress 
resistance. Modern approaches in phenotyping (such as near infrared spectroscopy – NIRS), selection methodology, QTL identification, and marker assisted breeding are developed and used. Ultimately we strive to deliver improved germplasm for Texas and make germplasm and research findings available to the world. Although the program primarily focuses on corn, quantitative genetic research on other organisms (especially close relative sorghum) and quantitative genetic theory is also conducted. Specific long term genetics projects are ongoing for stem sugar (sorghum and maize), wild introgression (maize), and understanding the basis of perennialism and tillering (sorghum and maize). The primary outcome goal is to increase the sustainability (both environmental and economic) of agricultural production for Texas, the US and the World.
Teaching. Graduate education in quantitative genetics is critical for success as a scientific plant breeder. The graduate course I teach focuses on the understanding of modern quantitative and population genetics for plant breeders with heavy emphasis on molecular tools and simulation. It covers both theory and applied approaches and encourages students to reach across their commodity or discipline for interdisciplinary thinking. Furthermore, the course attempts to translate modern scientific findings and theories to application of traditional field breeding, molecular locus identification, and ultimately marker assisted selection.