Jordan McBreen

Ph.D. agronomist specializing in wheat breeding, UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping, and genomic prediction. Skilled in integrating hyperspectral, multispectral, and thermal imagery with genomic and environmental data to improve selection accuracy, characterize heat tolerance, and accelerate decision making in cereal crops. Experience includes multi‐environment trial design (SunGrains network), R/Python/ENVI-based data pipelines, and multi‐kernel or functional regression workflows for yield prediction. Motivated by applying quantitative agronomy to deliver gains in productivity, resilience, and food security.

Graduate Research Assistant — World Food Crops Breeding Lab

University of Florida, Department of Agronomy | Aug 2018 – Dec 2024
PI: Dr. Md. Ali Babar

Led multi-environment wheat breeding trials across the Southeastern U.S. (SunGrains network), integrating UAV high-throughput phenotyping with genomic and environmental data to improve selection accuracy and identify heat-tolerant lines.

• Designed and executed UAV acquisition missions (hyperspectral, multispectral, thermal) capturing canopy reflectance, crop vigor, water stress, and heat response during critical growth stages.
• Developed spectral-to-trait pipelines in R/Python/ENVI for feature extraction, reflectance cube processing, and time-series modeling.
• Built genomic prediction models (GBLUP, RKHS, multi-kernel) and functional regression frameworks to predict grain yield from UAV features across environments.
• Increased prediction accuracy of grain yield by 15–25% in CV2 and CV00 frameworks by integrating thermal and spectral features with marker data.
• Coordinated plot establishment, sampling schedules, phenotyping, tissue collection, harvest operations, and logistics across multi-location nurseries.
• Trained undergraduate assistants and graduate peers in UAV safety, trial scoring, spectral data workflows, and phenomics best practices.

Graduate Research Associate — Hemp Breeding Pilot Project

University of Florida & Syngenta AG | Aug 2020 – Dec 2020

Supported early-stage cultivar development for CBD-type hemp under Florida subtropical conditions.

• Designed and implemented experimental layouts to evaluate cannabinoid-yielding cultivars for environmental adaptation and pathogen tolerance.
• Executed pollination strategies, hand crosses, and trait scoring within a regulated research framework.
• Generated benchmark phenotype datasets to support selection decisions and cultivar advancement.

Laboratory Technician — Evolutionary Genetics (Ceratodon) Laboratory

University of Florida | Aug 2016 – Aug 2018

Supported evolutionary genomics research investigating sex-linked polymorphisms in Ceratodon moss populations.

• Performed DNA extraction, PCR, and genotyping workflows across experimental populations.
• Maintained sequencing datasets and prepared samples for molecular analysis.
• Presented research findings at the UF CALS Undergraduate Research Symposium (2018).

Laboratory Technician — Forage Evaluation Support Lab (FESL)

University of Florida | Jan 2017 – Aug 2018

Conducted biochemical and digestibility analyses (NDF, IVOMD, total nitrogen) to evaluate forage quality.

• Supported instrument calibration for agronomic and animal science projects.
• Prepared samples for digestibility assays and maintained clean data workflows.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Agronomy — University of Florida (2024)
Advisor: Dr. Md. Ali Babar

Master of Science in Agronomy — University of Florida (2020)

Bachelor of Science in Plant Science — University of Florida (2017)