William Reichert

Graduate Student
Department of Plant Biology

William graduated with his Ph.D. in 2018 from the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program (NUANPP) at Rutgers University. His dissertation studies focused on the biology and breeding of catnip. One outcome of the genetic improvement of catnip (N. cataria) for the pet toy and insect repellent industries. resulted in the development and licensing a new N. cataria cultivar ‘CR9’. William and colleagues explored the effects of natural products including N. cataria essential oils as an insect repellent. He also worked with other high value niche plant species including exotic peppers, hot peppers, and ethnic vegetables on the East Coast to maximize their desired economical traits, aroma and flavor, nutritional and medicinal value.