Cullen Shaffer

Hardworking and passionate professional with a research industry background in plant biotechnology. Dedicated plant and sustainability advocate that values giving back to the community. Team player and strong communicator who values integrity first and foremost. Will apply knowledge gained from industry experience to be a leader as a CAFF Instructor.

Supplemental Instructor, Student Support Services, Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia AR.  Supplemental instructors (SIs) are students who performed strongly in a class and are later hired by the university to hold independent study sessions to enhance student learning in that class.  SIs attend class lectures alongside students, and schedule, prepare, and lead independent learning sessions designed to help students learn class content and teach students effective studying strategies to succeed in class.

• Genetics SI (BIOL 3033). Instructor of record: Dr. Abraham Tucker.
• General Microbiology SI (BIOL 3032). Instructor of record: Dr. Viktoriya Street.

• Yia Yang, 417-434-7221, yyang@bensonhill.com, Benson Hill, Associate Manager R&D Operations
• Dr. Mingsheng Qi, 217-819-6637, mqi@bensonhill.com, Benson Hill, Scientific Manager

• University of Arkansas Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Kyung Soo Kim Endowed Graduate Award May 2018
• Southern Arkansas University Outstanding Student Award College of Science and Engineering Undergraduate Student (2015-2016)
• 1st Place in Undergraduate Oral Presentations Physics 100th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Science April 2016

• Shaffer, C., Michener D. C., Vlasava, N. B., Chotkowski, H., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2022. Population genetics cycas necrotic stunt virus and the development of multiplex RT-PCR diagnostics. Virus Res. 309:198655.
• Shaffer, C., Michener, D., Vlasava, N., Botermans, M., Starre, J., Tzanetakis, I. E. 2021. First Report of Gentian Kobu-sho-Associated Virus Infecting Peony in the United States and the Netherlands. Plant Dis. 106.
• Shaffer, C., Michener D. C., Vlasava, N. B., Stainton, D. B., Lamour, K., Chotkowski, H. and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2021. The population structure of the secovirid lychnis mottle virus based on the RNA2 coding sequences. Virus Res. 303:198468.
• Shaffer, C. 2020. The Virome of Peony and the Population Structure of Its Most Prominent Viruses. Master’s Thesis. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas.
• Shaffer, C., Vakic, M., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2020. First Report of Amazon lily mild mottle virus in Peony in the USA. Plant Dis. 104.
• Shaffer, C., J. C. Gress., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2019. First report of Cycas necrotic stunt virus and Lychnis mottle virus in peony in the United States. Plant Dis. 103:5
• Shaffer, C. M., and Smith, S. E. 2017. University of Arkansas Department of Plant Pathology Plant Health Clinic News.

Archives of Virology

• Shaffer, C., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2019 Lemoine's Disease: What's Behind the Scenes. Oral Presentation at the American Peony Society Meeting, Des Moines, Iowa, May 15 – 19, 2019.

• Shaffer, C., Michener, D. M., Vlasava, N. B., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2018.Perennial ornamental enables virus spread across the United States. Poster presentation at the American Phytopathological Society Southern Division Meeting , Fayetteville, AR, July 29 – August 3, 2018.

• Shaffer, C., Michener, D. M., Vlasava, N. B., and Tzanetakis, I. E. 2018. Dissecting a centennial problem for the peony industry. Poster presentation at the International Congress of Plant Pathology meeting, Boston, MA, July 29 – August 3, 2018.

• Shaffer, C., Bachri, A. G., Pathak, R., Hauer-Jensen, M., Boerma, M., Romo, R. L., Webb, D. 2015. Radiation and microgravity induced genomic instability, optimization of cell recovery. Oral presentation. Arkansas INBRE Conference, Fayetteville, AR, 06 November.

• Shaffer, C., Bachri, A. G., Pathak, R., Hauer-Jensen, M., Boerma, M., Romo, R. L., Webb, D. 2015. Radiation and microgravity induced genomic instability, optimization of cell recovery. Poster presentation, Central Arkansas Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium, Little Rock, AR, 22 July.

• Shaffer, C., Guo, W., Bachri, A.G., Tucker, A.E. 2015. Analysis of genomic damage induced by ultraviolet light in mammalian leukocytes. Poster presentation, Mid-South Undergraduate Research Conference, Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR, 28 February.