Experience

Crop protection in practice

Experience with GM traits, germplasm, and foliar crop protection, from active ingredient discovery to product launch and field support.

First-of-a-kind products

GM crop protection technology

SmartStax PRO

The first trait to use RNAi against corn rootworm.

Contributed to active ingredient discovery, development, and launch. Led commercial event selection and mode-of-action studies supporting registration, then represented agronomy on the global launch team.

Foliar crop protection

Calantha

The first registered foliar RNA biopesticide.

Contributed to active ingredient discovery, development, and launch. Guided selection of the lead dsRNA molecule and active ingredient, and the resistance management strategy.

Development, launch, and field support

Acquisition Diligence

Oversaw technology and IP assessment for a GreenLight acquisition that enabled commercialization in 2025.

Commercial Technical Support

Led technical support, training, and grower service for sales teams across the nation’s largest agricultural production state. Worked directly with sales teams to lead product launches and with growers for positioning and placement of products on their fields.

Strategic

Drove resistance-management strategy for corn rootworm (CRW) in the U.S. and fall armyworm (FAW) in Brazil, aligning technical guidance and stewardship practices to preserve product durability.

R&D Strategy and Product Portfolio

Built and managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio with three crop protection product launches and two products in advanced regulatory review.

Led technology and IP assessment for an acquisition that generated tens of millions in portfolio value and enabled commercialization in 2025.

R&D and portfolio services

Leading R&D through change

Led a large, multidisciplinary organization spanning discovery, bioinformatics, machine learning, and mode-of-action research.

Managed multimillion-dollar R&D budgets and major company transitions while sustaining voluntary attrition below industry standards.

Scientific leadership services

Discuss a project with Ron.

Get in touch