The ISU Plant Sciences Institute has a new hand to help it towards its goal of becoming a world leader.

Stephen Howell, vice president for Plant Research Incorporated in Ithaca, N.Y., will be serving as director for the institute. Howell is internationally known for his research in the area of genetics of plant pathology and physiology. He is also the author of the book, “The Molecular Genetics of Plant Development,” and editor in chief of the research journal Plant Molecular Biology.

Howell succeeds Colin Scanes, who has served as interim director for the Plant Sciences Institute since it was created over a year ago.

“We are grateful for all that Dr. Scanes has accomplished for the institute,” said ISU Provost Rollin Richmond in a press release. “He has been instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships, attracting and retaining top faculty and communicating the important mission of the institute to audiences in Iowa and around the world.”

Howell received his bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1976. He began work at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., as director of plant molecular biology until he became vice president for research in 1997.

According to a press release, the Plant Sciences Institute is focused on becoming one of the world’s leading institutes for plant science research, education and unbiased research-based information.

Associate Provost Alicia Carriquiry said Howell also has several additional goals for the Plant Sciences Institute.

“He wants to encourage participation from a large variety of colleges and continue the tradition of cross-disciplinary work,” she said.

The Plant Sciences Institute at Iowa State consists of nine research centers and is supported through both private and public funding. The institute uses new methods developed by plant scientists and computer in an effort to make plants more valuable in feeding the world’s population in an attempt to make Iowa the food capital of the world.

Carriquiry said the strength of the Plant Sciences Institute was one of the qualities that attracted Howell to Iowa State.

“The institute is in very good shape,” she said. “It was launched successfully due to Colin Scanes, who has really done a very good job.”

Carriquiry also said she thinks Howell will be a strong leader.

“He will continue strengthening ties between Iowa State and its constituents in the state of Iowa, legislature, industry and farming community,” she said.

Howell could not be reached for comment.