Research Project: Developing Biofuels and New Industrial Crops for Sustainable Semi-arid Agricultural Systems

Location: Plant Physiology and Genetics Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Phenotypic variation and stability of seed, oil and protein yields in Camelina across diverse U.S. environments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abdel-Haleem, H.A., Phan, H.M., George, S., Gesch, R.W. 2026. Phenotypic variation and stability of seed, oil and protein yields in Camelina across diverse U.S. environments. Industrial Crops and Products. 249. Article 123672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.123672.

Metabolomics reveal drought-stress responses in guayule, a semi-arid rubber crop - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Phan, H.M., Abdel-Haleem, H.A. 2026. Metabolomics reveal drought-stress responses in guayule, a semi-arid rubber crop. Metabolomics. 22. Article 97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-026-02487-5.

Scenario-based cost analysis of scaling up hydroponic rubber dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) production to supply domestic rubber needs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
King-Smith, N.P., Cornish, K. 2026. Scenario-based cost analysis of scaling up hydroponic rubber dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) production to supply domestic rubber needs. Processes. 14(7):1146. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14071146.

Expression profiles of transcription factors and aquaporins suggest putative roles in rubber biosynthesis regulation and drought stress adaptation in guayule - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Phan, H.M., Abdel-Haleem, H.A. 2026. Expression profiles of transcription factors and aquaporins suggest putative roles in rubber biosynthesis regulation and drought stress adaptation in guayule. Scientific Reports. 16. Article 11718. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44868-9.

Electronic activation and inhibition of natural rubber biosynthesis catalyzed by a complex heterologous membrane-bound complex - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Evans, J.P., Sundarensan, V.B., Cornish, K. 2026. Electronic activation and inhibition of natural rubber biosynthesis catalyzed by a complex heterologous membrane-bound complex. Processes. 14(2):374. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14020374.

Historical performance of cultivated Scorzonera tau-saghyz Lipsch et. Bosse (mountain gum), a potential alternative rubber-producing crop - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mutalkhanov, M., Boguspaev, K., Sissemali, K., King-Smith, N., Cornish, K. 2025. Historical performance of cultivated Scorzonera tau-saghyz Lipsch et. Bosse (mountain gum), a potential alternative rubber-producing crop. Rubber Chemistry and Technology. 98(4):620-632. https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.24.00071.

Selection of heat stress tolerant wheat genotypes for desert environments - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ghazy, A.I., Al Ateeq, T.K., Ibrahim, E.I., Abdel-Haleem, H.A., Attia, K.A., Azab, O., Al-Doss, A.A. 2025. Selection of heat stress tolerant wheat genotypes for desert environments. Scientific Reports. 15. Article 36672. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20450-7.

Laticifer ontogeny in taraxacum kok-saghyz roots - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cornish, K., Abdul Ghaffar, M. 2025. Laticifer ontogeny in taraxacum kok-saghyz roots. Rubber Science. 38(2):163-177.

Biomanufacturing of early platform chemicals from industrial processing food waste using mono- and co-culture electrofermentation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Beenish, S., Akinola, S.A., Christy, A.D., Ezeji, T.C., Cornish, K. 2025. Biomanufacturing of early platform chemicals from industrial processing food waste using mono- and co-culture electrofermentation. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 13(5):117732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.117732.

Evaluation of hydroponic systems for Taraxacum kok-saghyz and comparisons with greenhouse and field production methods - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
King-Smith, N.P., Fontana, T.R., Cornish, K. 2025. Evaluation of hydroponic systems for Taraxacum kok-saghyz and comparisons with greenhouse and field production methods. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. 21. Article 101977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101977.

Phenotypic diversity in cell wall lignocellulosic constituents and ethanol yield of USDA guayule and mariola germplasm - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abdel-Haleem, H.A., Masterson, S.D., Sedivy, A.M., Mitchell, R. 2025. Phenotypic diversity in cell wall lignocellulosic constituents and ethanol yield of USDA guayule and mariola germplasm. Plants. 14(8). Article 1239. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14081239.

Biohydrogen and biobutanol production from spent coffee and tea waste using Clostridium beijerinckii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Akinola, S., Saba, B., Christy, A., Cornish, K., Ezeji, T.C. 2025. Biohydrogen and biobutanol production from spent coffee and tea waste using Clostridium beijerinckii. Fermentation. 11(4). Article 177. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11040177.

Suppression of guayulin content in transgenic guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Veatch-Blohm, M.E., Teetor, V.H., Ray, D.T., Saba, B., Cornish, K. 2025. Suppression of guayulin content in transgenic guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray). Discover Plants. 2(75). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00136-0.

Two-cycle strain-induced crystallization behavior of peroxide cross-linked solid guayule natural rubber - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Junkong,, J., Ohashi,, T., Phakkeeree,, T., Miyaji,, K., Iwasaki,, S., Cornish, K., Ikeda,, Y. 2025. Two-cycle strain-induced crystallization behavior of peroxide cross-linked solid guayule natural rubber. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. 310(6). Article 2400349. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202400439.

Goodyear medal address: Biological and geographical diversification of the natural rubber supply – a Cornish career crusade. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cornish, K. 2025. Goodyear medal address: Biological and geographical diversification of the natural rubber supply – a Cornish career crusade. . Rubber Chemistry and Technology. 98(2):219-246. https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.24.00054.

Optimal planting density of Taraxacum kok-saghyz bred for large root size: Seed, latex, and rubber yields - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
King-Smith, N.P., Anderson, V.M., Pillai, A.S., Puskas, J.E., Cornish, K. 2025. Optimal planting density of Taraxacum kok-saghyz bred for large root size: Seed, latex, and rubber yields. HortScience. 60(4):457-466. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18374-24.

Development of a circumallergenic guayule latex endotracheal tube cuff - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Herkins, A., Davis, S., Cornish, K. 2025. Development of a circumallergenic guayule latex endotracheal tube cuff. Biomedical Materials & Devices. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44174-024-00274-1.

Microcompounding of small samples of natural rubber - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Devney, E.P., Polyak, P., Kaszas, G., Amstutz, N., Puskas, J.E., Cornish, K., Molnar, K. 2025. Microcompounding of small samples of natural rubber. Rubber Chemistry and Technology. 98(1):78-89. https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.24.00033.

Nitrile glove composition and performance—substandard properties and inaccurate packaging information - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Herkins, A., Dey, S., Conroy, D., Cornish, K. 2024. Nitrile glove composition and performance—substandard properties and inaccurate packaging information. PLOS ONE. 19(1). Article e0312891. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312891.

Rubber Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) latex films: Implications for medical and latex product development - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
King-Smith, N.P., Davis, S.A., Cornish, K. 2025. Rubber Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) latex films: Implications for medical and latex product development. Rubber Chemistry and Technology. 98(1):90–108. https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.24.00035.

Proteomic and targeted lipidomic analyses of fluid and rigid rubber particle membrane domains in guayule - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blakeslee, J.J., Han, E., Lin, Y., Lin, J., Nath, S., Zhang, L., Li, Z., Cornish, K. 2024. Proteomic and targeted lipidomic analyses of fluid and rigid rubber particle membrane domains in guayule. Plants. 13(21). Article 2970. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13212970.

Characterization of improved barley germplasm under desert environments using agro-morphological and SSR markers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ghazy, A., Ali, M., Ibrahim, E., Sallam, M., Al Ateeq, T., Al-Ashkar, I., Motawei, M., Abdel-Haleem, H.A., Al-Doss, A. 2024. Characterization of improved barley germplasm under desert environments using agro-morphological and SSR markers. Agronomy. 14(8). Article 1716. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081716.

Genetic diversity and population structure of a large USDA sesame collection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Seay, D., Szczepanek, A.E., De La Fuente, G., Votava, E., Abdel-Haleem, H.A. 2024. Genetic diversity and population structure of a large USDA sesame collection. Plants. 13(13). Article 1765. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131765.

Drought and high heat stresses modify Brassica napus L. leaf cuticular wax - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tomasi, P., Luo, Z., Abdel-Haleem, H.A. 2024. Drought and high heat stresses modify Brassica napus L. leaf cuticular wax. Plant Stress. 13. Article 100513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2024.100513.

Genetic determinants of weed control in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using allelopathy approach - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Selim, M.E., ELShamey, E.E., ELkholy, N.A., Abdelrahman, M., Abo-Marzoka, E.A., Elgamal, W.H., Elsayed, M.A., Attia, K.A., Ghazy, A., Abdel-Haleem, H.A. 2024. Genetic determinants of weed control in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using allelopathy approach. Cereal Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-024-00506-6.