Matthew Clark

Matt Clark
Associate Professor
Director of Research (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum)
he/him/his
[email protected]
432 Alderman Hall and 122 HRC

1970 Folwell Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108
United States

Education
  • B.A., Saint John's University, Psychology, 2003
  • M.S., University of Minnesota, Applied Plant Science, 2010
  • Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Applied Plant Science, 2014

Areas of Interest

Disease resistance, plant genetics, fruit quality

Biography

My research focuses on using both traditional and molecular plant breeding approaches to develop improved fruit cultivars for cold climate production. One key area of research is studying the genetics behind the unique resistances to common pests and diseases while improving the eating experience through exceptional texture and flavor. Our goal is to develop new apple and other fruit varieties with multiple resistances so that growers can reduce the amounts of pesticides applied in a season.

Research

My research interest is focused in a couple of key areas. I am especially interested in disease resistance in fruit crops. In apple, we aim to understand the genetics of resistance in 'Honeycrisp' to apple scab and plan to explore novel sources of resistance. On grapevine, we have studied the resistance to an insect pest called phylloxera that is economically important throughout the world. Finding solutions for growers through genetic improvement is really important to me as it impacts all three areas of sustainability: economical, environmental, and social. In addition to pests and diseases, we are committed to researching fruit quality. In particular, this means conducting research that incorporates sensory studies and metabolomics with genomics to describe the flavor and aroma compounds produced in fruit that make fruit enjoyable (and sometimes not enjoyed) by consumers.

Select Publications

Research Profile