Asim Esen

November 14, 2008: Asim Esen honored with emeritus status

Born: Turkey

1965, Diploma in Horticulture, University of Ankara, Turkey
1968, M.S. in Plant Science, University of California, Riverside
1971, Ph.D. in Plant Genetics, University of California, Riverside
1975, Post-doctoral Research Biochemist, University of California at Riverside
1975-81, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Virginia Tech
1981-94, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Virginia Tech
1983, Visiting Scientist, University of California at Riverside
1985-86, Consultant for United Nations
1994-2008, Professor, Department of Biology, Virginia Tech
2006-2007, Fulbright Senior Teaching Scholar, Department of Biology, University of Ankara, Turkey

Esen and students pursued research interests in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry of plant B-glycosidase, including functional genomics of plant B-glycosidase. Esen et al have published research in about 100 papers, and in 1993 he edited an important book, “B-glycosidases: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”.

Esen taught courses in genetics, cytogenetics, physiology of microorganisms, advanced plant genetics, methods in cell and molecular biology.