An Iowa State University professor and director of the Seed Science Center has been chosen to lead the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced April 24.
Manjit K. Misra was selected to serve as Director of NIA and will lead agency efforts to advance agricultural research, education and extension "to solve societal challenges," the news release states. Misra will start his new role May 8, according to the release.
"We are excited to add Dr. Misra's leadership and expertise to our team as we continue to transform our nation’s food and agricultural system,” Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA under secretary, said in the news release. “NIFA, with its unique research, education and Extension partnerships, and the current unprecedented investments we have toward building the next generation of ag professionals, is well positioned to address the complex challenges we face in agriculture.”
Misra was a professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University for 45 years and served for more than 30 years as director of ISU's Seed Science Center, which has overseen the National Seed Health System since 2001. Misra was also the founding director of the university's Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products, according to the release.
Misra has served on more than 60 local, national, and international boards and committees, has received multiple leadership awards, holds 10 patents and 137 publications of his research. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering in India, as well as a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, the release reports.
“Dr. Misra is an esteemed scientist and educator whose devotion to studying and sharing his knowledge of seeds with the world will benefit society and inspire generations to come,” USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said in the release. “I am confident he will bring strong leadership and expertise to USDA as we continue our work to invest in and grow initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture and food systems.”
