Scientific Staff

Kim Shearer, MS

Curator of Collections and Manager of New Plant Development

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Kim advances the Arboretum’s mission to make the world a greener, healthier, and more beautiful place by introducing plant selections with broad adaptability, disease resistance, and pest resistance.

Kim’s expertise with trees and shrubs is complemented by her knowledge of selective breeding for disease resistance and environmental stress tolerance (drought, heat, cold, and salt).

The Haerther New Plant Development Program focuses on the breeding, selection, and evaluation of woody landscape plants for urban and suburban environments. Through collaborations with external partners and stakeholders, new cultivars are introduced to the commercial nursery industry. Many of these selections are promoted through the brand Chicagoland Grows®.

  • Oregon State University College of Agriculture Science Registry of Distinguished Students 
  • Glenn Goldsmith Breeding Excellence Scholarship  
  • Corliss Knapp Engle Scholarship in Horticulture  
  • NSF-EDEN Undergraduate Internship Award  
  • HRI Spring Meadows Nursery Award

Education

MS, Horticulture Science (Plant Breeding and Genetics)

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

BS, Horticulture Science

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

BS, Plant Biology

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

  • Member, Woody Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee, U.S Department of Agriculture  
  • Member, American Society for Horticultural Science: Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Committee
  • Founding Member, Social Media Chair, and Conference Planning Committee Member, Plant Breeding and Genetics Student Association of OSU
  • Secretary, Pi Alpha Xi, Alpha Rho Chapter (2015-16)
  • Vice President and Secretary, Gamma Sigma Delta
  • Member, Phi Beta Kappa, Zeta Chapter, North Carolina State University

Projects (5)