Assoc Prof Dr. Qing Liu | Crop Wild Relative | Best Researcher Award

South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences | China

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🌾 Biography of Dr. Qing Liu: Pioneering the Origins of Crop Genomes

Dr. Qing Liu is a distinguished researcher whose expertise bridges evolutionary botany, molecular genetics, and bioinformatics. With a focus on the genomic origins of vital crops, her career is a testament to dedication, scholarly excellence, and impactful contributions to plant science.

🌱 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Liu’s academic journey began at Harbin Normal University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology Education (1997). Her undergraduate research delved into the micromorphology of gland hairs and secretion in Labiatae plants, showcasing her early interest in plant anatomy and taxonomy.

She furthered her studies at the South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SCBG, CAS), completing a Master’s degree in Botany (2001) with a dissertation focusing on the taxonomy and phytogeography of the Chloridoideae subfamily in South China. Her passion for systematic and evolutionary botany culminated in a Ph.D. in Botany (2005), where she explored evolutionary aspects of the Chloridoideae subfamily.

🧪 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Liu's professional journey is deeply intertwined with her affiliation to the South China Botanical Garden, CAS, where she has held progressive roles:

• Huanyong Chen Professor (2014–Present)
• Associate Professor (2005–2013)
• Assistant Professor and Research Technician (2001–2005)

Dr. Liu's international engagements have further enriched her expertise:

• Visiting Scholar Fellow at Smithsonian Institution, NMNH (2006, 2009–2010, 2012–2013): Collaborating on evolutionary studies of Eleusine, Sorghum, and other key grass genera.
• Visiting Scholar Fellow at the University of Leicester (2016–2017): Investigating the repetitive DNA landscape in Avena species.

📚 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON CROP WILD RELATIVE

Dr. Liu’s research embodies a multidisciplinary approach to unraveling the origins and evolutionary pathways of crop genomes. Her focal areas include:

• Phylogeny and Genomic Origins of Eleusine, Sorghum, Panicum, and Avena.
• Polyploidy and Chromosomal Dynamics in crop species.
• Advanced methods such as microscopy, bioinformatics, and in situ hybridization to decipher evolutionary relationships.

Her work on the Chloridoideae subfamily contributes significantly to our understanding of grass systematics and phylogeny, providing critical insights into crop evolution and biodiversity conservation.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Liu’s research has influenced both theoretical and applied plant sciences:

• Enhanced understanding of crop wild relatives as resources for improving agricultural resilience.
• Contributions to global scientific collaborations, notably with the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Leicester, bridging Chinese and international botanical research.
• Recognition as an Excellent Supervisor (CAS, 2018), underscoring her mentorship and commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists.

📝 ACADEMIC CITES AND RECOGNITIONS

Dr. Liu’s work is widely recognized in the scientific community, as evident from her roles as:

• Grant Proposal Referee for the National Science Foundation of China and Guangdong Natural Science Fund.
• Journal Reviewer, shaping the discourse in evolutionary botany and crop genomics.
  Her excellence in research and peer contributions has made her a trusted expert adviser to the China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation.

🌟 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Qing Liu's dedication to unraveling the evolutionary histories of vital crops ensures her enduring influence in botany and agricultural science. Her ongoing work on phylogeny, bioinformatics, and crop genome origins positions her to address global challenges like food security and biodiversity conservation.

Through her mentorship and groundbreaking research, Dr. Liu’s legacy will continue to inspire scientific advancements in crop science and evolution for years to come.

📑NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

"Chromosome-level genome assembly of the diploid oat species Avena longiglumis" 

• Authors: Liu, Q. , Xiong, G. , Wang, Z. , Schwarzacher, T. , Heslop-Harrison, J.S.
• Journal: Scientific Data
• Year: 2024

"Genome-wide analysis of flavonoid biosynthetic genes in Musaceae (Ensete, Musella, and Musa species) reveals amplification of flavonoid 3,-hydroxylase" 

• Authors: Cui, D. , Xiong, G. , Ye, L. , Heslop-Harrison, P. , Liu, Q.
• Journal: AoB PLANTS
• Year: 2024

"High throughput RNA sequencing discovers symptomatic and latent viruses: an example from ornamental hibiscus " 

• Authors: Zhou, S. , Richert-Pöggeler, K.R. , Wang, Z. , Heslop-Harrison, J.S. , Liu, Q.
• Journal: Acta Horticulturae
• Year: 2024

"Genome-wide expansion and reorganization during grass evolution: from 30 Mb chromosomes in rice and Brachypodium to 550 Mb in Avena" 

• Authors: Liu, Q. , Ye, L. , Li, M. , Schwarzacher, T. , Heslop-Harrison, J.S.P.
• Journal: BMC Plant Biology
• Year: 2023

"The mitochondrial genome of the diploid oat Avena longiglumis" 

• Authors: Liu, Q. , Yuan, H. , Xu, J. , Schwarzacher, T. , Heslop-Harrison, J.S.
• Journal: BMC Plant Biology
• Year: 2023