UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- David Johnson, field biologist with BASF Corporation, has been named scientist-in-charge at Penn State's Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Landisville, Pa.

Johnson has experience in laboratory and field research as well as product development in the agricultural products industry.

As manager of the 160-acre research center, Johnson will work with faculty members and the agricultural industry to conduct variety trials, soil fertility studies and pest management research. He also will oversee work on agronomic and horticultural crops. This season's research focus will be on evaluating corn that has been genetically modified.

From 1993 until joining Penn State, Johnson worked for BASF Corporation. In 1997, he became a field biologist specializing in product development. From 1994 to 1997, he also worked as a research soil scientist in the herbicide discovery department of Princeton University. From 1993 to 1994, he served as a research chemist in the metabolism department of Princeton University.

Johnson has authored or co-authored 10 refereed journal and four nonrefereed journal articles, contributed one book chapter, and authored 58 abstracts and 23 experimental station research publications.

Johnson received the BASF "Take Ownership" Award in 2002 as well as three other awards from the American Cyanamid Company, now BASF Corporation. He has been a member of the Weed Science Society of America, serving as a reviewer for Weed Science and Weed Technology since 1995. He has been an associate editor of Weed Science since 2000. He is also a member of the North Central Weed Science Society, American Phytopathological Society, Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.

Johnson has reviewed manuscripts for the Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal of AOAC International, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, and HortScience. He served as adjunct professor of weed science at Mississippi State University from 1999 to 2000, and as an instructor in freshman-level chemistry at Rutgers University in 1994.

Johnson received his bachelor's degree in agronomy from Penn State in 1984. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas, earning a master's degree in 1989 and a doctorate in 1993 -- both in agronomy/weed science.

The Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Landisville is located in Lancaster County. The center is an important Pennsylvania site for applied research on agronomic and some horticultural crops. Research involves cultivar testing, pest management, cover crops, inoculants, fertility and various management studies.

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Contact:

Cheryl Anthony cka106@psu.edu 814-865-3636 814-863-9877 fax

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax #171