Paulo Izquierdo
Research Areas
Quantitative genetics, QTL mapping, GWAS, Genomic prediction, Genomics, phenomics, Artificial Intelligence.
Research Goal
The NMSU Cotton Breeding Program aims to accelerate genetic gain for complex traits, including yield, fiber quality, and abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, by integrating classical plant breeding with cutting-edge genomic, phenomic, and computational tools. We combine high-throughput phenotyping, genome-wide association studies, QTL mapping, genomic selection, and AI-driven approaches to link genetic variation to agronomically relevant traits and build a data-driven breeding pipeline. Our ultimate goal is to translate these insights into improved, resilient cotton cultivars that meet the needs of growers facing increasingly challenging climatic conditions across the Southwest and beyond.
Education
2023 - Ph.D., Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology – Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
2022 - Graduate certificate, Computational Plant Science, Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
2010 - B.S., Biology, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia.
Research Experience
03/2026-Present - Assistant Professor. Plant breeding, phenomics and genomics. Department of plant and environmental sciences, New Mexico State University.
03/2023-03/2026 - Research Associate. Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University.
01/2017-12/2022 - Graduate Research Assistant. Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University.
06/2022-08/2022 - Quantitative Genetics / Computational Biology Intern. INARI.
06/2016-12/2016 - Visiting Scholar. Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University.
09/2013-06/2016 - Research Assistant. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
01/2011-08/2013 - Research Assistant. Colombian Sugarcane Research Center (Cenicaña).
07/2010-12/2010 - Visiting Researcher. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)