Kristen Bennett

Platform Lead, BioDirect

Experience
Platform Lead, Chemistry Division at Monsanto
May 2012 - Present (2 years 2 months)
Lead an effort to enhance delivery and stability of active ingredients to plant foliar tissue.
Function Lead, Plant Systems Development and Optimization at Monsanto
April 2011 - May 2012 (1 year 2 months)
Project Leader at Monsanto Co.
January 2006 - April 2011 (5 years 4 months)
Crop Yield Enhancement, Monsanto Co.
Responsible for the successful advancement of the project from discovery to phase 3 (commercial/
regulatory) handoff. Provide scientific leadership to a large cross-functional team of molecular and
biochemical biologists and plant physiologists to develop and implement strategies to increase the ability of
crop plants to grow under water deficit conditions while maintaining plant productivity. Maintain freedom to
operate through intellectual property protection and competitive intelligence.
Project Leader at Monsanto
August 2000 - January 2006 (5 years 6 months)
Feed and Processing Quality Traits, Monsanto Co.
Responsible for research projects leading to enhanced processing quality of dicot oilseeds, in support of the
Renessen joint venture between Cargill and Monsanto. Provide direct supervision to 9 employees and
leadership to a cross-functional team of 20+ molecular biologists, biochemists and biologists across sites.
The successful advancement of this project from discovery to phase 3 commericial/ regulatory handoff was
accomplished.
Project Leader at Monsanto Co
May 1999 - August 2000 (1 year 4 months)
Responsible for research and development leading to the production of therapeutic human proteins in
plant-based expression systems. Coordinate with business lead to identify new commercial targets. Provide
leadership and supervision to a team of plant molecular biologist and biochemists.
Research Scientist at Monsanto Co
January 1998 - January 1999 (1 year 1 month)
Responsible for gene discovery to enhance the quality of animal feed. Member of joint venture research team
Gradudate Student Intern at Novo Nordisk Biotech, Inc
January 1997 - June 1997 (6 months)
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Successfully expressed plant polygalacturonase gene in Aspergillus.
Biotechnology Training Grant Trainee at UC
January 1995 - January 1996 (1 year 1 month)
Staff Research Associate II at Bodega Marine Laboratory
January 1991 - January 1992 (1 year 1 month)
Research Assistant at Department of Pomology, UC
January 1989 - January 1990 (1 year 1 month)
Teaching Assistant at Washington State University
January 1988 - January 1989 (1 year 1 month)
Skills & Expertise
Molecular Biology
Biotechnology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Genomics
Protein Chemistry
PCR
Bioinformatics
Protein Purification
Genetics
DNA
Microbiology
Lifesciences
Cell Biology
Proteomics
Molecular Genetics
DNA sequencing
qPCR
Volunteer Experience
Vice President at Yolo Land Trust Board of Directors
July 2009 - Present (5 years)
Corporate Science Challenge Question Committee Chair at Explorit Science Center
January 2007 - October 2010 (3 years 10 months)
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Education
California Agricultural Leadership Program
Class 36, 2005 - 2007
University of California, Davis
Ph.D., Plant Biology, 1993 - 1998
Activities and Societies: Dept of Vegetable Crops
University of California, Davis
MS, Plant Physiology, 1989 - 1992
Activities and Societies: Dept of Pomology
Humboldt State University
B.S. M.S, Botany, 1984 - 1988
CVHS
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Kristen Bennett
Platform Lead, BioDirect
Contact Kristen on LinkedIn
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