Computational studies on recurrent genomic selection for genetic improvement of soybeans

Abstract

I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my parents and colleagues at Iowa State University. I can't thank Dr. Beavis and his lab members enough for their constant support. I need to thank Dr. Beavis for his constant support in the midst of all kinds of challenges. Through all these years, I've been with his research group, he has always been an extremely welcoming person and patient with everything. I could not have done anything without Dr. Beavis' guidance at every stage of this dissertation project, as Applied Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics were mostly a new field of study for me. He was also extremely patient in explaining all the concepts and encouraged independent work. I would also like to thank my POS committee members Dr. Alicia Carriquiry, Dr. Jack Dekkers, Dr. Karin Dorman and Dr. Lizhi Wang for their helpful suggestions and guidance throughout the dissertation project.I must also thank the research group members Danielle, John, Haley, Reka, and Bongsong. I've never seen colleagues more patient and understanding than this group and they often worked hard to make it a welcoming team. I must also thank the larger ISU community for their support and making ISU a great campus town. Their engagement and involvement in affairs of the campus and larger community completely changed my perception of life in a community.Having lived with only small groups of friends and family with very little direct engagement with the larger community, I found campus life in Ames to be a completely different experience that provided a sense of community engagement. I believe this experience will stay with me as long as I can remember things. Thanks to the ISU community and the larger Ames community for that. I would also like to thank my parents for giving me the freedom to choose my career and a scholarly way of life. Their support has been a constant source of encouragement since high v school to pursue higher education. I would also like to thank my cousins and their families for encouraging me to pursue higher education in the US.