Person

Neal Stewart

Professor & Director | Plant Sciences
Overview

Neal Stewart, professor of plant sciences, holds the Ivan Racheff Chair of Excellence in plant molecular genetics. He serves as co-director of the Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, which he co-founded in 2018. After taking a PhD at Virginia Tech, he joined Wayne Parrott's lab at the University of Georgia as a postdoc from 1993-1995, after which he moved to UNC-Greensboro where he was an assistant-, then associate professor from 1995-2002 in biology. In 2002, Stewart assumed the Racheff Chair with an appointment of professor. The Stewart Lab’s research spans plant biotechnology, synthetic biology, genomics, and ecology.

Dr. Stewart has authored or co-authored over 350 journal articles, many book chapters and 12 books. He is co-editor in chief for Plant Cell Reports and is an associate editor with the Plant Biotechnology Journal. Dr. Stewart was elected as an AAAS Fellow in 2015, an SIVB fellow in 2019, and from 2014-2016 served on the National Academies committee responsible for publishing "Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects" in 2016.

His research has been supported by various granting agencies in the DOE, USDA, NSF, DARPA, and industry sources. Of the approximately $70 M awarded over the past 25 years in grants and contracts, of which 5% has had industry ties.

Dr. Stewart teaches courses in biotechnology and research ethics. He has mentored over 200 trainees (graduate students, postdocs, and technical staff) over his career; most of whom are still in science. He has given scientific and lay-presentations around the US and in 16 countries.

His hobbies include those in the bioenergy (firewood) and transportation (old vehicles) sectors and boating and swimming in the Tennessee River. Neal Stewart is also a singer-songwriter whose songs can be found here: http://www.reverbnation.com/seenealstewart

Research Focus

Biotechnology, synthetic biology, and genomics

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ANSC 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (See Plant Sciences 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

CEM 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (See Plant Sciences 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

PLSC 452 - Plant Biotechnology and Genetics
3 credit hour(s)

Genetic principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular and transmission genetics as applied to plant biotechnology and plant improvement. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 452 and PLSC 552.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : BIOL 113 or BIOL 114 or consent of instructor.

PLSC 454 - Plant Biotechniques
3 credit hour(s)

Lectures will discuss recombinant DNA technology, molecular assisted breeding of economically important crops, gene cloning and transformation technologies. Examples will be given of food and ornamental crops, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sources produced using biotechnology, as well as potential risks of this technology. Labs will include electrophoresis, tissue culture, plasmid preps, genomic DNA preps, PCR, plant transformation, and genomic techniques.

Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour lecture and one 3-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 454 and PLSC 554.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : BIOL 113 or BIOL 114 or BIOL 240 or consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Baumann, Aaron Alan

PLSC 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (Same as Animal Science 525 and Comparative and Experimental Medicine 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

PLSC 552 - Plant Biotechnology and Genetics
3 credit hour(s)

General principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular and transmission genetics as applied to plant biotechnology and plant improvement. Credit Restriction: Student may not receive credit for both 452 and 552.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

PLSC 554 - Plant Biotechniques
3 credit hour(s)

Lectures will discuss recombinant DNA technology, molecular assisted breeding of economically important crops, gene cloning and transformation technologies. Examples will be given of food and ornamental crops, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sources produced using biotechnology as well as potential risks of this technology. Labs will include electrophoresis, tissue culture, plasmid preps, genomic DNA preps, PCR, plant transformation, genomic techniques.

Contact Hour Distribution: 1-hour lecture and one 3-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 454 and 554.
Recommended Background: 353 or Biology 240.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Baumann, Aaron Alan

PLSC 593 - Problems in Plant Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Independent study. Current topic related to technology, science or design.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours. Credit Restriction: For MS students, a maximum of 6 hours may be applied to the major. For PhD students in PSI, a maximum of 9 hours may be applied to the major.

Other Instructors: Klingeman III, William E | Ross, Michael | Bates, Gary Edward | Sorochan, John Charles | Walters, Kellie Jean | Pantalone, Vince | Millwood, Reggie

Neal Stewart

Professor & Director | Plant Sciences
Picture of Neal Stewart image
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Virginia Polytech Inst & St Un, 1993
Overview

Neal Stewart, professor of plant sciences, holds the Ivan Racheff Chair of Excellence in plant molecular genetics. He serves as co-director of the Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, which he co-founded in 2018. After taking a PhD at Virginia Tech, he joined Wayne Parrott's lab at the University of Georgia as a postdoc from 1993-1995, after which he moved to UNC-Greensboro where he was an assistant-, then associate professor from 1995-2002 in biology. In 2002, Stewart assumed the Racheff Chair with an appointment of professor. The Stewart Lab’s research spans plant biotechnology, synthetic biology, genomics, and ecology.

Dr. Stewart has authored or co-authored over 350 journal articles, many book chapters and 12 books. He is co-editor in chief for Plant Cell Reports and is an associate editor with the Plant Biotechnology Journal. Dr. Stewart was elected as an AAAS Fellow in 2015, an SIVB fellow in 2019, and from 2014-2016 served on the National Academies committee responsible for publishing "Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects" in 2016.

His research has been supported by various granting agencies in the DOE, USDA, NSF, DARPA, and industry sources. Of the approximately $70 M awarded over the past 25 years in grants and contracts, of which 5% has had industry ties.

Dr. Stewart teaches courses in biotechnology and research ethics. He has mentored over 200 trainees (graduate students, postdocs, and technical staff) over his career; most of whom are still in science. He has given scientific and lay-presentations around the US and in 16 countries.

His hobbies include those in the bioenergy (firewood) and transportation (old vehicles) sectors and boating and swimming in the Tennessee River. Neal Stewart is also a singer-songwriter whose songs can be found here: http://www.reverbnation.com/seenealstewart

Research Focus

Biotechnology, synthetic biology, and genomics

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ANSC 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (See Plant Sciences 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

CEM 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (See Plant Sciences 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

PLSC 452 - Plant Biotechnology and Genetics
3 credit hour(s)

Genetic principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular and transmission genetics as applied to plant biotechnology and plant improvement. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 452 and PLSC 552.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : BIOL 113 or BIOL 114 or consent of instructor.

PLSC 454 - Plant Biotechniques
3 credit hour(s)

Lectures will discuss recombinant DNA technology, molecular assisted breeding of economically important crops, gene cloning and transformation technologies. Examples will be given of food and ornamental crops, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sources produced using biotechnology, as well as potential risks of this technology. Labs will include electrophoresis, tissue culture, plasmid preps, genomic DNA preps, PCR, plant transformation, and genomic techniques.

Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour lecture and one 3-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 454 and PLSC 554.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : BIOL 113 or BIOL 114 or BIOL 240 or consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Baumann, Aaron Alan

PLSC 525 - Research Ethics for the Life Sciences
1 credit hour(s)

How good research conduct and knowing the rules of science can enable success in life science research. Bioethics is not a focus. Cross-listed: (Same as Animal Science 525 and Comparative and Experimental Medicine 525.)
Contact Hour Distribution: 1 hour. Registration Restriction: Minimum student level – graduate, or permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Edwards, J. Lannett | Souza, Marcy Jan

PLSC 552 - Plant Biotechnology and Genetics
3 credit hour(s)

General principles and techniques used in plant modification. Principles of molecular and transmission genetics as applied to plant biotechnology and plant improvement. Credit Restriction: Student may not receive credit for both 452 and 552.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

PLSC 554 - Plant Biotechniques
3 credit hour(s)

Lectures will discuss recombinant DNA technology, molecular assisted breeding of economically important crops, gene cloning and transformation technologies. Examples will be given of food and ornamental crops, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sources produced using biotechnology as well as potential risks of this technology. Labs will include electrophoresis, tissue culture, plasmid preps, genomic DNA preps, PCR, plant transformation, genomic techniques.

Contact Hour Distribution: 1-hour lecture and one 3-hour lab. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 454 and 554.
Recommended Background: 353 or Biology 240.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Baumann, Aaron Alan

PLSC 593 - Problems in Plant Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Independent study. Current topic related to technology, science or design.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours. Credit Restriction: For MS students, a maximum of 6 hours may be applied to the major. For PhD students in PSI, a maximum of 9 hours may be applied to the major.

Other Instructors: Klingeman III, William E | Ross, Michael | Bates, Gary Edward | Sorochan, John Charles | Walters, Kellie Jean | Pantalone, Vince | Millwood, Reggie