Dr. Merritt Khaipho-Burch (Thai-Oglala Lakota) received her Ph.D. from the Section of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University in February 2024 with a minor in Genomics. Merritt’s research investigates how pleiotropy controls complex traits within the wagmiza (maize) genome and how transposable elements, or jumping genes, regulate gene expression. Before coming to Cornell, Merritt obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo on the homelands of the Kānaka Maoli and obtained her Master’s degree in one of her homelands, the Oceti sakowin, at South Dakota State University.
After graduation, Merritt joined Corteva Agriscience as a Research Scientist to further work with her favorite plant, wagmiza.
