Katharina Jung

2026 WIT Early Career Award
Katharina Jung, from Germany, is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. She works with a nested association mapping (NAM) population that includes both modern and traditional wheat varieties from Asia. These varieties are highly diverse yet have been underrepresented in modern breeding. Katharina aims to uncover the genetic basis of yellow rust resistance and drought adaptation through large-scale field trials in collaboration with CIMMYT, experiments under controlled conditions, and genomic analysis. With a background in Agricultural Sciences and Plant Breeding from the University of Hohenheim, she is well equipped to bridge genetic research and the practical needs of applied agriculture. Katharina is passionate about safeguarding and exploring genetic resources and about understanding their adaptation to biotic and abiotic factors.

Education

  • PhD, University of Zurich
  • M.Sc, Crop Sciences with a focus on plant breeding, University of Hohenheim
  • B.Sc, Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim
Katharina Jung

“I hope to further engage with genetic resources to address pressing agricultural challenges, such as a changing climate and the spread of pathogens, while acknowledging the role of local farmers in creating and safeguarding this diversity.”

Katharina Jung
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