A New Zealand scientist who trained at Auckland University, Simon Chan, has died from liver disease complications in the United States.
The University of California campus where Mr Chan worked as an associate professor, UC Davis, says he was awaiting a liver transplant when he died.
Mr Chan, 38, is credited by the university for leading cutting-edge studies into the way crops reproduce.
He worked with plant breeders in Colombia, Tanzania and Kenya to find new ways to breed bananas and other staples eaten by poor people.
