Russell D. Rasmussen, Ph.D, Manager of STA Genomics

Russell is responsible for operations, research and development, strategy and marketing for molecular breeding services. Born and raised on a farm, Russell combines his love for agriculture with a deep understanding of the plant breeding process. He has helped hundreds of customers apply molecular markers to gain the maximum value from their seed quality and plant breeding programs.

Before joining STA, Russell was the Manager of DNA Technologies at BioDiagnostics in River Falls, WI. There, he developed and marketed genetic purity testing services for the seed industry and plant breeders, as well as monitored the integrity and accuracy of developed services.

Russell brings an extensive research background with a focus on molecular methods applied to plant breeding. He received his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and B.S. and M.S. degrees in Plant Science from Utah State University. He was a Faculty Development Committee member for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota, and was actively involved in many other student organizations at the Universities of Minnesota and Utah.

Russell is a member of the Crop Science Society of America and is a Registered Genetic Technologist in the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists. He served as a Registered Genetic Technologist Board of Examiner and Committee Member in the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists.