Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Jacob Parnell has been appointed as the Director of Agronomy at Biome Makers.
- Dr. Parnell brings experience from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
- He previously worked with Biome Makers, contributing to the development of innovative soil health solutions.
- Dr. Parnell aims to leverage his global perspective on soil health to advance Biome Makers’ mission.
Dr. Parnell’s Return to Biome Makers
Biome Makers announced the return of Dr. Jacob Parnell as the new Director of Agronomy. Dr. Parnell, an expert in soil health and biology, rejoins Biome Makers after significant contributions to global soil biodiversity initiatives at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
CEO’s Remarks
“We are excited to welcome Jacob back to Biome Makers to lead our agronomy team,” said Adrian Ferrero, CEO of Biome Makers. “His work at the FAO has provided him with a global perspective on soil health, which will be invaluable as we continue to develop innovative solutions for resilient and productive farming practices.”
Previous Contributions and Achievements
Dr. Parnell originally joined the company in 2021 and played a key role in developing innovative soil health solutions. His work during this period laid the groundwork for many of the company’s current technologies and approaches. In 2023, Dr. Parnell left to take on a critical role at the FAO, where he led the development of a global soil biodiversity observatory. This ambitious project aimed to monitor and improve soil health worldwide, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and ensure long-term food security.
Dr. Parnell’s Vision
“Rejoining Biome Makers feels like coming home,” said Dr. Parnell. “The work I did at the FAO was incredibly fulfilling, and I’m eager to bring those insights and experiences back to Biome Makers. Together, we will continue to advance soil health and sustainability, benefiting farmers and ecosystems worldwide.”
Academic and Professional Background
Dr. Parnell earned his PhD from Michigan State University’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and Center for Microbial Ecology in 2007. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Utah State University, he joined the faculty to study metagenomics and metaproteomics of environmental microbial communities. He also contributed to the National Ecological Observatory Network in Boulder, Colorado, designing their terrestrial microbial strategy.
In 2014, Dr. Parnell joined Novozymes as a senior scientist, where he led projects to discover and validate beneficial microbes for soybean and corn. His work in these roles has been instrumental in advancing soil health and microbial ecology.
