Research for my PhD focuses on understanding the genetic basis of the number of spikelets per spike (SPS) in wheat, a yield component trait for pasta and bread wheat. I am using positional cloning to dissect the quantitative trait loci for number of spikelets per spike (SPS) located on chromosome arm 7AL (160-165 Mb). Ultimately, I hope to use positional cloning to isolate this gene for SPS and deploy it in the UC Davis and CYMMIT wheat breeding programs.