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MISSISSIPPI TURFGRASS

Dr. Marta Pudzianowska has been working in the warm-season turfgrass breeding program at University of California, Riverside since 2017. Her efforts as a breeder focus on developing new bermudagrass and kikuyugrass cultivars with improved winter color retention and drought tolerance. She was born and raised in Poland, where she earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in Horticulture at Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

Dr. Pudzianowska will begin her tenure at MSU in the Turfgrass Breeder position in October. “I’m looking forward to joining the MSU team, to having my own program in a new environment.” While she will continue current breeding projects at MSU (bermudagrass and carpetgrass), her work will also begin with setting strategic planning goals to determine new directions. “It is essential that I make sure I know the needs of the state/area. In breeding, I need to try to anticipate needs as they are emerging.” Dr. Pudzianowska plans to stay in touch with stakeholders in golf, sports, and LCOs to identify problems that are important in the industry in our region.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating and cooperating with other researchers and industry professionals. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that if I’m going to have success, I need to carefully look and listen to the people in the industry.”

In her life outside of work, she enjoys travel (being new to the US, she has a long list of destinations to visit) and active time outdoors, including hiking, kayaking, and soccer. Dr. Pudianowska is married and has two cats. Her other hobbies include graphic design and floral design.

MTA welcomes Dr. Pudzianowska!