Mullet named University Distinguished Professor
Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty member among eight selected across Texas A&M University
John Mullet, Ph.D., professor and Perry L. Adkisson Chair in Agricultural Biology in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, was awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor on Jan. 30.
Mullet is among eight scholars across the university who received this highest honor for Texas A&M faculty in 2024.
The title of University Distinguished Professor is representative of the recipients’ sustained positive impact on campus, within their academic specialties and on the world. It is bestowed upon scholars who have made significant advancements in their field, with at least one transformational contribution or substantial intellectual leap forward in their discipline.
“Our faculty at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are steadfast in their pursuit to revolutionize the agriculture and life sciences within Texas and beyond,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences and fellow University Distinguished Professor. “Dr. Mullet’s achievements exemplify how we are leading cutting-edge research and strengthening the sustainability of our production systems. He is a leader in his field, and we are fortunate to have him supporting our efforts at Texas A&M.”
Mullet’s research contributions
Mullet was awarded the title of University Distinguished Professor for his work on characterizing the sorghum genome and identifying the function of key genes used in sorghum breeding. As a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, he focuses on bioenergy sorghum, a high-yielding, drought- and heat-resilient grass.
His lab works in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute to construct extensive gene expression profiles of bioenergy sorghum, and he contributed to its recently published Plant Gene Atlas, an updateable data resource on plant transcriptomes for 18 diverse species.
In addition to serving the college, Mullet’s research supports the sustainable biorefinery system initiative of AgriLife Research, which aims to increase the domestic supply of renewable biofuels, improve soil fertility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security and economic competitiveness, particularly with the use of bioenergy sorghum. He joined Texas A&M in 1983 after working as a postdoctoral researcher at Rockefeller University.
Visit Texas A&M Today to find more information on the 2024 cohort of University Distinguished Professors.
