Congratulations to Dr. Christopher Benson (Postdoctoral fellow, Ou lab) who was recently awarded a fellowship by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Entitled  “Chromosomal dynamics in weedy poa: Deciphering the genomic basis of environmental adaptation”, the project aims to uncover the genomic foundations of phenotypic plasticity, climate adaptation, and molecular evolution in Poa annua, one of the world's most widespread weeds. By leveraging genomic insights, the study aims to inform strategies for mitigating the adaptive advantages of weeds and enhancing environmental resilience in crop species. This research is critical for addressing the challenges posed by weed competition in agriculture, which can significantly reduce crop yields, and for reducing reliance on herbicides that have adverse environmental and health impacts.