The Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) congratulates Dr. Yu Ma, Director of the OPGC, on being named to Greenhouse Product News (GPN) Magazine's 2026 "40 Under 40" class.
The annual GPN "40 Under 40" program recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to the industry through research, production, education, innovation, and other areas of professional achievement.
Dr. Ma joined The Ohio State University and the OPGC in August 2023. She lead the efforts to fulfill the OPGC's mission to acquire, conserve, characterize, document, and distribute herbaceous ornamental plant germplasm as part of the USDA National Plant Germplasm System. In addition to serving as Director of the OPGC, she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. In this role, she leads research and Extension program focused on ornamental crop breeding, genetics and genomics. Her program closely aligns with the OPGC mission by expanding scientific understanding of ornamental germplasm and developing genetic and genomic resources that enhance its value for breeding and conservation.
Congratulations to Dr. Ma on this professional recognition!