Spotlight on Alumni

Left to right: Loke Kok; interim dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Penny L. Hunst; Sue Tolin, former advisor for Hunst.

Featured Alumna Penny L. Hunst (Ph.D. PPWS '81) was instrumental in gaining approval of genetically engineered corn varieties for commercial use during her employment (1999-2009) at Dow AgroSciences. The corn varieties confer comprehensive insect protection, protecting against four or more major insect pests of corn roots and stems. One variety captured nearly 20 percent of the nation's corn acreage in its first two years on the U.S. market and was named 2008 Product of the Year by AgriMarketing magazine. Hunst has received eleven Dow AgroSciences awards, including the New Ventures Concept Builder Award. Hunst left her position as the Dow AgroSciences global regulatory leader in May to join Bayer CropScience as a Global Regulatory Affairs Manager.