Susanne Kjemtrup

I have been working in agricultural biotechnology for over 20 years. During that period, I worked in academic, start up and large company settings. I have experienced roles ranging from individual contributor, project lead, to technical and operational team leadership roles. Through all those experiences, I relished the challenge of scientific and strategic direction setting in both entrepreneurial or academic settings, using my strengths in critical thinking, talents as a people leader and passion for community science education. 
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​My career in plant sciences spans both coasts, starting with a PhD in biology from University of California, San Diego in plant biology, and subsequent postdoctoral work at North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I studied pathogens of plants. I have held leadership positions in the ag-biotech industry at both Paradigm Genetics in Research Triangle Park, NC, and Monsanto. At Paradigm, I was awarded an STTR grant in collaboration with North Carolina State University to develop gene silencing tools using plant viruses. At Monsanto,  I led both technical and intrepreneurial teams in automated phenotyping, physiology and microbials in crop improvement R&D projects. I was named  Fellow at Monsanto and as an adjunct faculty at NC State in the Department of Plant Biology and Microbiology, I have contributed to curriculum development and regularly coach students and post-docs about working in industry. 

I am an ag-technology advisor for Ag TechInventures (AgTech Director, Operations), as well as an expert reviewer for the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research.