Yoonha Ju, a Ph.D. student in the Genetics program at Kansas State University, is conducting research in the fields of molecular cytogenetics and chromosome engineering. Her research focuses on expanding genetic diversity of cultivated wheat by utilizing its wild relatives. One of her projects involves fine-mapping a homoeologous recombination promoter gene on chromosome 5Mg of Aegilops geniculata using molecular cytogenetic mapping and sequencing. In addition, she is developing wheat–barley Robertsonian translocation lines through integrated cytogenetic and genomic approaches to introduce novel traits for wheat improvement. This research facilitates the genetic improvement of wheat using cytogenomic approaches, enabling the efficient introduction of beneficial traits from wild relatives. The results can be applied in pre-breeding programs to enhance crop adaptability.