Seeking Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Partners for Climate-Resilient Crop Breeding, Plant Genomics and Sustainable Agriculture

Prof. Dr. Faheem Shehzad Baloch is a Professor of Plant Genetics and Breeding at Mersin University and was a BRAIN POOL Fellow at Jeju National University. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Breeding from Çukurova University in 2012, specializing in QTL mapping and molecular breeding.

With more than 13 years of academic and research experience, Prof. Baloch has established an internationally recognized research program in plant genomics, phenomics, molecular breeding, and quantitative genetics. His expertise encompasses next-generation sequencing (NGS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic prediction, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and high-throughput phenotyping, with a primary focus on improving cereals, legumes, and underutilized crops for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Prof. Baloch has made significant contributions to the characterization, conservation, and utilization of plant genetic resources, particularly in Türkiye and the Fertile Crescent region. He has authored over 200 SCI-indexed publications, co-edited 15 scientific books, and achieved an h-index of 44. His research has been supported through numerous national and international projects, including European COST Actions, Horizon initiatives, bilateral research programs, and multidisciplinary collaborations spanning more than 40 countries.

In addition to supervising graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and international visiting scholars, he serves as a Management Committee Member of multiple European COST Actions, Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member of international journals, and a trusted reviewer for over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journals. His work bridges advanced genomics with practical crop improvement, contributing to global efforts in food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural development.