Mallarino, Antonio

Antonio is Professor Emeritus (retired) and was Professor of Agronomy, Nutrient Management Research and Extension Specialist, until December 31, 2023, at Iowa State University (ISU). He continues activities, however, by finishing research reports and articles, helping finish his graduate students, and contributing to ISU Extension for areas within his expertise. He has focused on phosphorus, potassium, lime, micronutrients, manure nutrients management, soil testing and plant analysis, use of precision agriculture technologies, and management impacts on phosphorus loss from fields. He has been co-responsible for ISU Extension nutrient management guidelines, contributed to the development of the Iowa Phosphorus Index and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. He has represented ISU at the USDA/NIFA North Central Region Committee for Soil Testing and Plant Analysis and the committee Minimizing P Losses from Agriculture. He served at the North American Proficiency Testing Program oversight committee and served 6 years as Associate Editor of both Agronomy Journal and Soil Science Society of America Journal. He co-developed the ISU Extension Soil Fertility website and continues helping maintain it.

Cianzio, Silvia

Conduct soybean breeding research for genetic modification of seed yield; resistance to soybean cyst nematode, and Fe efficiency. Research for these traits includes cultivar development, evaluation of breeding methology, and inheritance studies. Conduct soybean breeding research for cultivar and germplasm line development for brown stem rot and Phytophthora.

Wolt, Jeffrey

Professor Emeritus. Agriculture and Life Sciences generalist, Agricultural Risk Analysis emphasizing Molecular Characterization, Human and Environmental Risk Assessment, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Applied Soil Chemistry. Research and outreach at the interface of Science with Regulatory Policy for Genetically Engineered and Genome Edited crops and derived products.

Westgate, Mark

Dr. Westgate’s research program focuses on understanding the physiological basis for the effects of water deficits on the reproductive development in corn and soybean; using molecular approaches to improve the value of soybean seeds; and establishing quantitative relationships between floral development and seed set in corn.   He is recognized internationally as an authority on corn and soybean reproductive development.

Dr. Westgate teaches four graduate courses. Agron 516: Crop Physiology.  This lecture course explores the physiological and molecular determinates of crop growth, reproductive development, and yield. Agron 616: Advanced Topics in Crop Physiology and Biochemistry.  This readings/discussion provides an in-depth treatment of physiological and biochemical processes and their relationships to crop growth and development.  Both courses emphasize integration of molecular, whole plant, and canopy approaches for crop improvement.  Dr. Westgate also is the Director of Graduate Education for the M.S. in Agronomy Distance program offered by the Agronomy Department.  In addition to program management, Dr. Westgate teaches Agron 501: Crop Grown and Development and Agron 599M: Creative Component Seminar.  Agron 501 is the introductory course for the MS Agronomy Distance Program.  It explores basic physiological processes underlying in crop development and responses to the environment.  Agron 599M guides students through the process of selecting a topic for their Creative Component project, identifying a Major Professor and Program of Study Committee, and preparing a draft proposal to pursue.   Dr. Westgate also has taught an undergraduate course, Agron 342 World Food Issues.

Dr. Westgate is the current President of the Crop Science Society of America, and has served in numerous leadership and editorial capacities including Editor of Crop Science, the flagship journal of the Society.  He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America, and Science Fellow of the Australian National University.  He currently represents the Agronomy Department on the ISU Faculty Senate and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Caucus.   From 2009 to 2014, he served as the Director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

 

Beavis, William

As professor, and GF Sprague Chair for Population Genetics, Bill teaches graduate courses in applied statistics (Agronomy 513), molecular plant breeding (Agronomy 523) and advanced plant breeding (Agronomy 621). His research interests are focused on optimization of the plant breeding process and genetic limits to crop improvements.

Al-Kaisi, Mahdi

Research interest focuses on the effect of cropping systems, tillage systems, and crop residue management on soil health, soil carbon dynamics, and greenhouse gas emission. Also, research interests include the interaction effects of agricultural practices and environmental factors (i.e., climate change) on agriculture systems sustainability and productivity.

Sawyer, John

Dr. Sawyer is a retired professor and extension soil fertility specialist in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. He provided statewide leadership for extension soil fertility and nutrient management programs in Iowa.  His research focus was the study of nutrients in soils and plants, and fertilizer and manure nutrient management related to crop production and the environment.