During this time of financial emergency for the LSU AgCenter, it has been difficult to add new staff. But, fortunately, two key positions were filled that have major implications for Louisiana’s economic development. Tara Smith has been named the state sweet potato specialist, and Wade Baumgartner has been appointed as a licensing associate with the Office of Intellectual Property.
Smith, who completed her Ph.D. in May under the guidance of Abner Hammond of the Department of Entomology, assumed her new duties in June. She replaces Mike Cannon, who had been the sweet potato specialist before his retirement in January 2006.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a master’s degree in biology from Louisiana Tech at Ruston. She will work out of the Sweet Potato Research Station at Chase.
Baumgartner, who has a Ph.D. in reproductive endocrinology and a J.D., both from the University of Illinois, evaluates the research conducted at the AgCenter with respect to patent protection and works to obtain patents for AgCenter inventions. One of his goals is to move those inventions into the marketplace. He also began his duties in June. His other degrees are also from the University of Illinois – an M.S. in molecular genetics and a B.S. in animal sciences.
(This article was published in the summer 2006 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.) |