6/23/98

Contacts:
Ronald Cantrell, Agronomy, (515) 294-7636
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

ISU AGRONOMY HEAD TO LEAD INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER

AMES -- The head of Iowa State University's agronomy department is stepping down to take over the leadership of an international research center.

On Sept. 1, Ronald Cantrell will become director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. He will serve a five-year appointment. Cantrell has been head of ISU's agronomy department for eight years. Prior to coming to ISU, he directed the corn research program at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico.

An interim head for the agronomy department will be named, said David Topel, dean of ISU's College of Agriculture. "Dr. Cantrell has put together a new foundation for the agronomy program," Topel said. "He has helped position the department to be internationally recognized."

Cantrell said, "I've been fortunate to work with top-rate faculty and staff. Their efforts have been the reason our student numbers continue to increase, as well as our funding from external sources."

IRRI is a non-profit agricultural research and training center that employs 975 scientific and support staff. The center helps farmers in developing countries produce more food using environmentally acceptable methods. In the '60s, IRRI developed new high-yielding rice varieties that helped to trigger the Green Revolution. The World Food Prize, which recognizes individuals' achievements in improving the world's food supply, has been awarded three times to IRRI scientists or directors.

Cantrell has just finished a term as president of the Crop Science Society of America. He is a fellow of that society and of the American Society of Agronomy. Cantrell will replace IRRI's interim director general, Robert Havener, who has been heading the institute since January.

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