2004-2010 Ph.D. - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• Plant Breeding and Genetics

2002-2004 B.S. - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

• Horticulture

1999-2000 A.A.S. - Paul Smiths College, Paul Smith, NY

• Urban Forestry

• Rice Breeding and Genetics
• Molecular Breeding
• Trait mapping and discovery

My research is centered around applied rice breeding for the development of improved varieties for Louisiana and the Southern U.S. This is accomplished through large scale field breeding program and the incorporation of enabling technologies from multiple disciplines.

Breeding efforts involve creation and screening of new germplasm at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station and at our winter nursery in Lajas, Puerto Rico. Replicated yield trials are conducted on station and in all rice production areas across the state.

The program has established a SNP DNA marker lab to incorporate molecular breeding approaches into variety development efforts. Over 30,000 samples are screened each year, generating 100,000s of data points. A significant effort is also put forth to genetic discovery, marker development, and marker validation for use in applied breeding efforts.

Efforts to incorporate new technologies are focused on identifying new approaches that can increase the number of lines screened, improve our accuracy of phenotyping and data collection, or reducing the time between breeding cycles. A key focus in this area is to identify, prioritize and validate these technologies and approaches within the logistical context of an applied breeding program.

2015- Present; Assistant Professor, Rice Breeding and Genetics — Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Rayne, LA

2010- 2015; Research Scientist, Rice Breeding Systems — Breeding Technologies Group, DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA

American Society of Agronomy

Crop Science Society of America

Louisiana Rice Growers Association

• LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Endowed Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (2016)
• DuPont Advanced Leadership Development Program (2013-2015)
• DuPont Pioneer Research Contribution Award Program (2011)
• Graduate Student Fellowship, DuPont Pioneer (2004)
• Te-Tzu Chang Graduate Fellowship, International Rice Research Institute (2008)
• Barbara McClintock Award, Cornell University CALS (2007)
• Outstanding TA Award, Cornell University CALS (2006)

Accelerating Breeding Selections through Integration of Molecular Breeding Approaches, LA Rice Research Board. 2016. $65,000

Specialized breeding activity support. Horizon Ag. (unrestricted) $38,000

Accelerating Breeding Selections through Integration of Molecular Breeding, LA Rice Research Board. 2017. $134,750

Specialized breeding activity support. Horizon Ag. (unrestricted) $65,000

Famoso, A.N., Oard, J.H., Harrell, D.L., Groth, D.E., Bearb, K.F., White, L.M., Zaunbrecher, R.E., Linscombe, S.D. 2016. Registration of 'CL153' Rice. Journal of Plant Registration (doi:10.3198/jpr2016.04.0023crc).

Famoso, A.N., Oard, J.H., Harrell, D.L., Groth, D.E., Bearb, K.F., White, L.M., Zaunbrecher, R.E., Linscombe, S.D. 2016. Registration of 'CL272' Rice. Journal of Plant Registration (doi:10.3198/jpr2016.04.0024crc).

Clark R, Famoso A, Zhao K, Shaff J, Craft E, Bustamante C, McCouch S, Aneshansley D, and Kochian L. 2013. High throughput 2D root system pheotyping platform facilitates genetic analysis of root growth and development. Plant, Cell and Environment 2013 Feb; 36(2):454-66.

Famoso A, Zhao K, Clark R, Tung CW, Wright M, Bustamante C, Kochian L, and McCouch S. 2011. Genetic architecture of aluminum tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa) determined through genome-wide association analysis of QTL mapping. PLoS Genetics, 2011 Aug; 7(8):e1002221.

Famoso A, Clark R, Shaff J, Craft E, McCouch S, and Kochian L. 2010. Development of a novel aluminum tolerance phenotyping platform used for comparisons of cereal aluminum tolerance and investigations into rice aluminum tolerance. Plant, Cell and Environment 2013 Feb; 36(2):454-66.