By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska highlights the work of plant scientist Nathan Butler, who is helping advance crop biotechnology and genetic research. Butler studies ways to improve plants using modern biotechnology tools while also teaching students and supporting research programs.
Butler’s interest in plant science began during his undergraduate studies when he discovered the fascinating world of plants through a book that changed his perspective.
“I read Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan as a part of an undergraduate course and I couldn’t put it down,” Butler said.
This early inspiration guided his academic path. Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2008. He later completed a master’s degree in plant biology at Iowa State University and earned a doctorate in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology from Michigan State University.
After completing his studies, Butler began his professional career as a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. In this role, he worked to introduce modern biotechnology tools into carrot breeding and genetics research programs.
Later, Butler worked as a cell biology research scientist at Calyxt, a biotechnology company near Minneapolis. There he helped develop gene editing and crop transformation technologies for crops such as hemp, soybeans, and potatoes.
Before moving to Nebraska, Butler worked as a senior researcher in the University of Minnesota’s Voytas Lab. His work focused on developing methods to create and detect targeted plant changes using both DNA free and transgenic techniques. His research involved crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, sorghum, setaria, nicotiana, and arabidopsis.
Butler joined the University of Nebraska on May 1, 2025, as an assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. He also serves as director of the Plant Transformation Core Research Facility and holds a joint appointment with the Center for Plant Science Innovation.
“A love for plant science, innovation and working with and learning from excellent people brought me to Nebraska,” Butler said.
His research lab currently focuses on sorghum, a crop valued for drought tolerance, heat resistance, and low production inputs. Sorghum also shows strong potential as a source for bioenergy production.
“An important challenge to working with sorghum and other bioenergy crops is engineering them to be more efficient for biofuel production,” Butler said. “My lab reduces these barriers by creating new tools for genetic engineering and providing essential plant materials for testing in the greenhouse and the field.”
Outside the laboratory, Butler enjoys cycling and has biked to work since his college years.
“Lincoln is great!” Butler said. “I have lived across the Midwest and am very happy to have landed here.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmaroscar
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Soybeans, Sorghum