Dr. Falk joined Corteva in 2019 as a Field Scientist after completing his PhD at Iowa State University in Plant Breeding and Genetics where he focused on developing new methodologies in high throughput soybean phenotyping. In his current role, he leads projects in a variety of digital technologies, automation, and tool development to improve operational efficiency, safety, and data quality. Previously at Corteva, Kevin led a large cross-discipline field program while being Principal Biologist for the seed treatment, horticulture, and cereal herbicide portfolios.  He is a technology enthusiast and has been instrumental in testing and deploying new technology and approaches for the Field Sciences organization including the development of image collection from drones, cameras and sensors while creating best management practices for virtual field tours, and digital data collection. Kevin has previously held positions at Bayer (canola breeding) and Monsanto (biotech/crop protection).

Dr. Lewis serves as the Bayer Crop Science Equipment & Automated Field Sensing Lead. In her role, she oversees the development, validation, global deployment, and logistics optimization of high-impact digital tools and sensors. Magan is an award-winning scientific leader and STEM advocate. She has received multiple recognitions, including being named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN Ambassador, Des Moines Business Record’s Forty under 40, Seed World’s 2022 Future Leader of the Seed Industry, and was recently appointed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to serve on the South Central Regional STEM Advisory Board. Magan is a STEM education outreach fanatic, ID&E (Inclusion, Diversity & Equity) advocate, serves as a board member for the Science Center of Iowa, and is a co-leader of her local 4-H Clover Kids Chapter.

Magan holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from North Dakota State University and M.S. and B.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota. She resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband and two daughters. The Lewis family enjoys hiking, catching frogs, identifying insects, tumbling rocks, traveling, playing piano, and NDSU Football. 

Dr. Susie Thompson is a potato breeder at North Dakota State University where she is part of the Potato Improvement team. She has a 90/10 (research/teaching) appointment, in addition to service, as part of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) mission. In simple terms, Susie develops new potato cultivars for grower, industry, and consumer adoption. In her teaching role in the Plant Sciences Department, she teaches three courses: Vegetable Production, Potato Science, and Graduate Seminar; Veg Production and Potato Sci are taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Under her leadership, the NDSU Potato Breeding program, as part of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, has released seven cultivars: Dakota Jewel (2004), Dakota Crisp (2005), Dakota Diamond (2005), Dakota Trailblazer (2009), Dakota Russet (2012), Dakota Ruby (2014) and Dakota Dawn (2022). Susie advise both undergraduate and graduate students and the occasional post-doctoral research fellow. She is a member of the NCCC215 (Potato Breeding and Genetics), supply germplasm and conduct the National Chip Breeders and National French Fry Processing Trials, and the North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial. Dr. Thompson has been a member of the Potato Association of America since 1986, and is active in the Breeding and Genetics, Physiology, and the Production Management sections. NDSU hosted the 101st Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America in July 2017, and served as a co-chair. In 2008, she was awarded the Larson/Yaggie Excellence in Research Award (early career). She was presented with the Meritorious Service Award by the National Potato Council in 2012, in addition to being awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, also in 2012. Sigma Alpha (NDSU chapter of the agricultural sorority) named Dr. Thompson as the Ag Woman of the Year in 2013.