Professor Xuehua Zhong has been awarded the 2021-2022 H. I. Romnes Faculty Fellowship, recognizing her academic success and providing an opportunity for continued development of her outstanding research program. The fellowship is named in honor of Haakon Ingolf (H.I.) Romnes, late Trustee and President of the WARF Board. A lifelong friend of the University, his entire career was characterized by integrity, self-discipline and the ability to accomplish monumental tasks while preserving the full support and admiration of all who came to know him. Support for this award is provided by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education with funding from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
Xuehua Zhong, associate professor of genetics and an affiliate with the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, studies epigenetic regulation of plant traits and environmental adaptation. By understanding how plants reprogram epigenetic landscapes to meet growth and survival needs, she is developing innovative tools to edit and engineer epigenomes for biomass production and agricultural improvement. Zhong teaches epigenetics and advanced genetics.