Hello everyone! My name is Xin Xin, and I’m excited to join the University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science group as a postdoctoral associate! I will be working on characterizing the vernalization requirements of over 200 perennial ryegrass varieties, as well as advancing our understanding of yield losses in perennial grass crops.
I’m originally from China and recently earned my Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Sciences from Washington State University. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Botany and later transitioned to Entomology. However, I realized my stronger interest lay in plant science, which led me back to the field for my Ph.D. research.
During my doctoral studies, I focused on Kentucky bluegrass, a widely used cool-season turfgrass predominantly grown in the inland Pacific Northwest. I collaborated closely with local growers in Washington State to improve seed yield and participated in Kentucky bluegrass breeding projects.
I’m very excited to continue my research in turfgrass science and to further enhance my knowledge in order to address challenges faced by both growers and end-users.