Andi Kur

I am broadly interested in the conservation of and contemporary breeding with traditional (landrace) crops. My previous research has considered how events of forced human migration can affect contemporary evolution and potential adaptation in landrace crops as they are transported across vastly different climate zones, traded amongst migrant peoples, and grown in ethnically diverse community garden spaces. My current research is situated in understanding and identifying evolutionary mechanisms that drive local adaptation in maize landraces and how this knowledge can be applied in a breeder’s setting (GEMMAlab.org). Lastly, I am passionate about science communication and outreach, and I hold a position as the Outreach Coordinator for the NSF-funded project, Genetics of Highland Adaptation in Maize (highlandadaptation.org), and work as an illustrator in conjunction with my research (@andi_kur_art on Instagram).