Gerald PullmanProfessor School of Biology Ph.D., University of California at Davis, 1979

Gerald (Jerry) S. Pullman obtained his B.S. degree in Biology from California State University at Northridge in 1971, and his M.S. (Botany) and Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) degrees from the University of California at Davis in 1975 and 1979, respectively. His early research and technique development on the non-chemical control of soilborne fungal plant diseases have helped to control plant disease around the world. In 1980, he became interested in the use of tissue culture techniques to produce natural useful mutations for the control of plant disease. After producing plants tolerant to an important disease of celery, Jerry's interest in plant tissue culture led to work with coniferous forest trees at Weyerhaeuser Company.

There he helped to develop eight patents on somatic embryo development and deployment. In 1993, he joined the faculty of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology in the Forest Biology Group where his research focused on the development of commercial tissue culture techniques for the multiplication and genetic engineering of high-value loblolly pine trees. With the merger of IPST into Georgia Tech in 2003 his research interests continued to focus on somatic embryogenesis for coniferous trees but broadened to include fundamentals of seed development and propagation of rare and endangered coniferous species.

Research Summary

The Forest and Pulp and Paper Industries are based on a reliable supply of low-cost trees that can be converted into saleable products. However, as demands for forest products grow and the land base to produce trees shrinks, it will become difficult for the U.S. forest products industry to remain competitive. We need trees that produce more wood and fiber per acre, with improved wood and fiber properties in both softwoods and hardwoods.

As efforts increase to produce bio-based products from cellulosic biomass, the forest biorefinery will become a facility that integrates conversion processes and equipment to produce power, chemicals, fuels, food and nutraceuticals from wood.  This will produce opportunities to increase revenues and improve environmental sustainability. Clonal propagation of trees with desired growth and processing characteristics will facilitate this vision.

Jerry's research interests are in the areas of multiplication of high-value trees through somatic embryogenesis, understanding the fundamental physical and chemical factors driving natural plant embryo development and the creation of tissue culture systems necessary for the genetic engineering of forest trees. Jerry’s laboratory also works to propagate rare and endangered plants focusing on coniferous species. In addition, Jerry has expertise in paper-related microbiology.

Patents: 1, 2 Publications: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25 Patents: 7 Publications: 8, 22, 24 Patents: 4, 5, 9, 10 Publications: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 22, 23, 24, 30 Patents: 6, 8, 11 Publications: 24