Walter Dauksher

Walt Dauksher

What brought you to UGA? UGA has so many great qualities. I was drawn by the impressive breadth and depth of plant research. UGA is among the best institutions in the country for plant research, and paired with the fun, diverse, collaborative atmosphere of the school, along with the town of Athens’ rich traditions and lots to do, the choice was easy. 

What are your research/study interests? I am broadly interested in the genetic engineering and manipulation of plants to meet the needs of humanity. My current research involves engineering herbicide resistance in turfgrass. 

What has been a benefit of being part of IPS?/How did it help you select your program? There are many benefits to the IPS program. My cohort was a wonderful positive, as I had the opportunity to quickly make friends with people from diverse backgrounds and similar interests. Another major benefit of IPS are the rotations. Being able to rotate through a few labs from an assortment of departments allows you to define your interests, know the lab culture, and ultimately make the best decision for a home base lab for the next few years.

What are your career goals? I am open to all pathways, but my current aim is to work in industry. I would like to be involved with the genetic engineering of plants with value-added traits. Specifically, I would love to work on projects that help to solve the tragedy of world hunger. 

Who is your major professor? Dr. Wayne Parrott