This week HudsonAlpha virtually welcomed Ernst Cebert, PhD, as the first invited speaker of the 2021-2022 Research Seminar series. Dr. Cebert is a Research Associate Professor at Alabama A&M University in the Department of Plant and Soil Science. He is also a close collaborator with the HudsonAlpha Center for Plant Science and Sustainable Agriculture. HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Kankshita Swaminathan, PhD, hosted the seminar.
In his talk entitled “Selected Brassica species for phytoremediation: benefits vs. risks”, Cebert discussed a program he initiated at AAMU to breed winter canola for use in Northern Alabama and the mid-south region. The project involves creating new canola lines using classical breeding and molecular markers. The canola is being created for use in phytoremediation, winter-forage, leafy-green-vegetable, chemo-preventive evaluation, and as a feedstock for biodiesel.
In collaboration with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Dr. Cebert also developed a mobile Biodiesel Classroom on Wheels to provide an educational demonstration of small-scale biodiesel production and continues to expand the area of renewable energies at AAMU.
Dr. Cebert is also the site manager of the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station in Hazel Green, Alabama.
More information on HudsonAlpha Research Seminars, including the upcoming schedule, can be found at hudsonalpha.org/seminars.