Jim Luby

James Luby is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota where he directed research in fruit crops breeding and genetics from 1982-2024. Luby grew up in Wisconsin, and his education includes a B.S. degree in Crop Science from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from the University of Minnesota. Under his direction, the University of Minnesota fruit crops breeding program has introduced and commercialized 31 cultivars of apples, wine grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits. Apples include the popular ‘Honeycrisp’ and SweeTango® introductions.  He has published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. Luby has taught and advised graduate and undergraduate students in plant breeding and fruit production. He has served on the Driscoll’s Science Committee since 2013. He received the Nat. Assoc. for Plant Breeding Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, and other awards include induction as a fellow in the American Society of Horticultural Science and the Society’s Career Awards for Outstanding Researcher and Outstanding Graduate Educator.