Education

BS, Biotechnology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
MS, Plant Biotechnology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
MS, Horticultural Genetics and Biotechnology, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Chania, Greece
PhD, Soybean Breeding and Genetics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Description

Mariola Usovsky is a laboratory manager and research coordinator in the Northern Soybean Breeding Program. She leads trait introgression efforts via marker-assisted breeding to improve soybean seed composition, disease resistance, and other agronomic traits. She is highly involved in the university’s soybean breeding pipeline and release of several soybean cultivars.

Mariola develops strategic directions, goals and plans for molecular research, and provides first-line supervision and coordination of employees, undergraduate and graduate students for daily activities and assigned research projects. Her professional research focuses on discovery and utilization of novel sources of soybean cyst nematode resistance to support disease management on a grower’s farm. She is fascinated by adoption of innovative technology and genetic diversity to unlock yield potential and increase genetic gain in soybean.