A new associate director position has been created at Iowa State’s Plant Sciences Institute to coordinate research initiatives.

Patrick Schnable was appointed to fill the position by Provost Ben Allen.

“We’ve engaged in a new program of research initiatives at this point, it’s a very large administrative commitment,” said Stephen Howell, director of the institute and director of genetics, development and cell biology. “We needed someone with great leadership skills, somebody who is highly regarded in the plant science community.”

“According to the most recent annual report from the Plant Sciences Institute, five broad research initiatives were launched last year to 3address major challenges in Iowa agriculture and to enhance the value of Iowa crops.”

Howell said the new research initiatives, that focus on improving agriculture and the use of agriculture products, will be some of Schnable’s duties.

Schnable said his own laboratory has dozens of different research projects going on and received more than $2.5 million worth of grant-based funding last year. Examples of his research include methods of preventing Asian Soybean Rust, a crop killer in the United States, and using plants to produce raw materials for industry.

“We have great emphasis in the plant sciences here at Iowa State, that will certainly be an important aspect of the research programs that bring funding to Iowa State,” said James Bloedel, vice provost for research.