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Board biz
Kyle Phillips
Board biz

Ray Kyle Phillips has been involved in the PSI since its inception, initially as a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Board. He saw the need to establish the institute because “Iowa farmers needed a champion in the biotech arena and Iowa State could be that champion,” says Phillips.

Seeds of change

What genes and molecular mechanisms pilot plant cells along paths to become either starchy endosperm, transfer layer or aleurone is something Philip Becraft, associate professor in the Departments of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology and Agronomy wants to know.

Stimulus package

It is hoped the President’s $787 billion stimulus package will help the nation out of its worst recession since the Great Depression. The purpose of the package is to create jobs and put Americans back to work. Iowa is expected to receive $1.9 billion, which will go a long way toward easing the state’s budget problems.

Sorghum solution

By introducing sorghum, Maria Salas-Fernandez, assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy, is bringing new depth to Iowa State’s burgeoning breeding program in forages and biofuel feedstocks.

Building character

Academic alchemist Catherine Brewer is blending study disciplines to create her own unique niche. The Washington State native now in her second year as a doctoral student at Iowa State, has morphed an interest in English to chemistry into her current passion, chemical engineering.