Robert McGee

Background

About Robert McGee

I have over a decade’s worth of research experience in both basic and applied science. For my PhD at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, I worked on answering fundamental questions about what the plant cell wall is composed of as well as developing a genetic platform to be able to engineer the cell wall within a single cell layer. My MSc was a joint research project between the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and Plant and Food Research, a New Zealand-government funded agricultural research institute, where I helped characterize a unique genetic loci responsible for parthenogenesis (asexual seed production), so that this agriculturally beneficial trait could be introduced into crop plants in the future. I am passionate about the application of science, with a specific interest in how global agricultural production can be improved, modified, and adapted to the ongoing and upcoming threats posed by global climate change. Over the course of my scientific career I have developed knowledge and technical proficiency in: • Molecular biology, genetics, genetic engineering, genomics, cell biology, plant biology and carbohydrate biology. • Next generation sequencing, assembly of sequence data, and computer programming. • Field trials, greenhouse production, plant breeding, high-throughput phenotyping & genotyping, and hands-on experience with wheat, tomato, potato, soy bean and common bean agricultural production. In addition to my skill set as a researcher I have developed professional skills in: • Communication: through presenting my own research at several scientific conferences both internationally and in Canada over the last +10 years. • Teamwork and collaboration: whilst working in six different research teams, including three separate research collaborations between multiple international, American, European, and Canadian universities and through the lessons learnt in the ‘Essentials of Productive Teams’ workshop presented by Mitacs. • Mentoring: developed during two-years of experience as a teaching assistant in a mix of lecture and lab-based courses at UBC and whilst supervising the research project of an honour student.