• Leah A. Brilman, Seed Research of Oregon. Leah Brilman is director of research and technical services of Seed Research of Oregon, a division of The Pickseed Group. She serves as a turfgrass breeder and agronomist for the company. She received a B.S. in biology from California State University–Bakersfield and a M.S. and Ph.D. in agronomy and plant genetics from the University of Arizona. She has been chair of Division C-5 Turfgrass Science, president of the Turfgrass Breeders Association (TBA), and represented TBA on the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Policy Committee. She is the test preparer and coordinator for the student turf bowl for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America involving more than 80 student teams from across the United States.
  
  
• James A. Anderson, University of Minnesota. James Anderson is a professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at University of Minnesota. He received a B.S. from University of Minnesota, M.S. degree from University of Kentucky, and Ph.D. from Cornell University. Dr. Anderson has been working in the areas of wheat breeding and genetics since 1989. He has served on the editorial board of Crop Science, received the CSSA Young Crop Scientist Award in 1998, and was elected ASA Fellow in 2006.

• Silvia R. Cianzio, Iowa State University. Silvia Cianzio is a professor in the Agronomy Department at Iowa State University. Dr. Cianzio received a B.S. at the University of Uruguay and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Iowa State University. Her program focuses on breeding for disease, pest, and abiotic stress resistance in soybean. Cianzio has served as associate editor for Crop Science and has been active in CSSA, the International Group on Iron Nutrition and Interaction in Plants, and the Puerto Rico Seed Research Association. She serves as editor of the proceedings published by the Iron Nutrition and Interaction in Plants, and she actively participates in extension activities organized by Iowa State University and the Iowa Soybean Association.

• Peter H. Dernoeden, University of Maryland. Peter Dernoeden is a professor of turfgrass science in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees at Colorado State University and a Ph.D. from University of Rhode Island. His appointment includes research and extension components, and he teaches a course in pest management strategies for turfgrasses. His research and extension programs involve turfgrass pathology, weed science, and turfgrass management. He mentors graduate students and coordinates the turfgrass disease diagnostic laboratory and field days. He served as associate editor for Crop Science, is ASA Fellow, and recipient of the Northeastern Weed Science Society Outstanding Researcher Award.

• Peggy G. Lemaux, University of California–Berkeley. Peggy Lemaux is a faculty member in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of California–Berkeley and a statewide cooperative extension specialist. She is chair of the Biotechnology Workgroup for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Lemaux received a B.A. at Miami University in Ohio and M.S. and Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from University of Michigan. Her research program focuses on developing and utilizing genetic engineering technologies to improve cereal crops, including her involvement in the nutritional improvement of sorghum for Africa through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her public outreach program involves issues relating to agricultural practices, food production, and the impact of new technologies on food and agriculture. These efforts include the website http://ucbiotech.org, which received an ASA Certificate of Excellence in 2002.

• Phillip N. Miklas, Washington State University. Phillip Miklas is a research geneticist with USDA-ARS at the Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit in Prosser, WA. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at Washington State University. Dr. Miklas received a B.S. from Mesa State College, M.S. from Colorado State University, and Ph.D. from North Dakota State University. His program develops enhanced germplasm lines and improved cultivars of dry edible bean. Research efforts focus primarily on genetics of disease resistance. He serves as technical editor for Crop Science and is an active member of the Bean Genetics, Phaseolus Crop Germplasm, and Bean Improvement Cooperative Coordinating Committees. Miklas also served as a principal investigator for the USAID Bean/Cowpea Collaborative Research Support Program in East and southern Africa, and is an active participant in the ARS sclerotinia initiative.

• Ramachandran P.K. Nair, Center for Subtropical Agroforestry. Ramachandran Nair is a pioneering researcher and educator and a world leader in agroforestry. He is a distinguished professor and director of the Center for Subtropical Agroforestry in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, and has affiliate faculty status in the departments of Agronomy and Soil and Water Sciences at the University of Florida. He received a Ph.D. in agronomy from Pantnagar Agri. University, India, and Doctor of Science degree from Goettingen University, Germany; he has also received honorary doctor of science degrees from Kyoto University, Japan; University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; and University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is a Fellow of ASA, SSSA, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he has received the International Service Awards of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. Other recognitions include the Society of American Foresters Barrington Moore Award (2004), International Union of Forest Research Organizations Scientific Achievement Award (2005), Senior Fulbright Award (2005–2010), and the Humboldt Prize (2006). He was editor-in-chief of Agroforestry Systems for 11 years and is currently the editor of the book series Advances in Agroforestry. He is a past chair of Division A-6 International Agronomy and was the chair of the 1st World Congress of Agroforestry, Orlando, FL in 2004.

• James G. Shannon, University of Missouri. James Shannon is professor and David Haggard Endowed Chair of soybean genetics and breeding in the Division of Crop Sciences at the University of Missouri. Dr. Shannon received a B.S. from Mississippi State University and M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University. His program primarily focuses on the breeding and genetics of soybeans with resistance to soybean cyst nematode and other diseases. He has been involved in the development of more than 70 cultivars and soybean germplasm lines. Shannon has served on the Soybean Crop Registration Committee, the National Soybean Genetics Committee, and has been active in the American Seed Trade Association.

• Bir B. Singh, Pant University, India. Bir Singh is currently based at G.B. Pant University, India as a visiting professor of genetics and plant breeding. He retired last year from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture after serving from 1979–2006 as a cowpea breeder. Dr. Singh obtained his B.S. (honors) degree from G.B. Pant University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from University of Illinois. His work on genetics and breeding of pigeon pea, soybean, and 60-day cowpeas is well recognized worldwide. Singh has served as a member on the International Crop Science Committee and International Agronomy Award Committee.

• Chris van Kessel, University of California–Davis. Chris Van Kessel is the chair of the department of Plant Sciences at the University of California–Davis. Dr. van Kessel received a B.S. degree in agronomy and a second B.S., an M.S., and a Ph.D. degree in biology from the Netherlands. His research program focuses on the management of rice cropping systems and the impact of climate change on crop production and nutrient cycling.

The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) www.crops.org is an educational organization helping their 5,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop, and soil sciences by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services. For more information, contact Sara Uttech, suttech@agronomy.org, 608-268-4948.