Distinguished alumnus, soybean genomics researcher to speak at NDSU

The recently retired research leader of the Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory is scheduled to speak at North Dakota State University as part of the university’s eighth annual Distinguished Alumni Award Program.
 
Perry Cregan, MS ’75, PhD ’77, agronomy, is the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources 2014 distinguished alumnus. He is scheduled to present “DNA Marker Development and Application in Soybean and Common Bean” on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 p.m. in Loftsgard Hall 114. A reception is scheduled to follow his presentation in Loftsgard Hall’s H.R. Lund Atrium.
 
Sponsored by each of the colleges at NDSU, the Distinguished Alumni Award Program recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding alumni. It also presents an opportunity to educate students by introducing them to successful alumni in their respective fields of study.
 
As the research leader of the Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Cregan oversaw soybean gene discovery research, the search for resistance to soybean diseases including the soybean cyst nematode and soybean rust, research related to the analysis of genetically modified soybean and detection of unanticipated changes in seed composition as a result of genetic modification.
 
Cregan’s personal research focused on the development and application of DNA markers and the creation of the genetic map of the 20 pairs of soybean chromosomes. The map was an important resource that was used to assemble the DNA sequence of the whole soybean genome that was recently completed as part of a collaborative effort by a large group of U.S. scientists.
 
During the program, distinguished alumni will share career-related experiences and knowledge while visiting NDSU. Each alumnus will have an opportunity to make presentations to students, faculty, alumni and the NDSU community. All classroom presentations and seminars are free and open to the public.
 
For more information about Cregan’s visit, contact Patti Sebesta at patti.sebesta@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8524.
 
This year’s other distinguished alumni include:
 
College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources
Perry Cregan, MS `75, PhD `77, agronomy, recently retired as research leader of the Soybean Genomics and Improvement Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland.
 
College of Engineering
Tim Brookins, BS `87, MS `90, electrical engineering, is a Distinguished Engineer for Microsoft. Based in Fargo, Brookins works on the Windows Mobile team, contributing to the company’s Windows phone efforts.
 
College of Human Development and Education
Eileen Karp, BS ’75, textiles and clothing, has a broad background in fashion. Her more than 30 years of experience in creative design, patternmaking and technical design combined with more than 25 years in education demonstrates her successful track record in the apparel business.
 
College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences
Paul Richard, AD `74, nursing, BS `74, economics, is president of Sanford Fargo Medical Center.
 
College of Science and Mathematics
John Hanish, BS `86, chemistry, history, is a partner in Goodwin Procter’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice in New York.
 
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.