Robert de la Peña

Robert de la Peña, Ph.D. has extensive work experience in the field of agricultural research and development. Robert served as the CEO and Head of Global R&D at United Genetics Seeds Co. since 2017. Prior to that, they worked at East-West Seed as the Head of Product-Market Strategy, Product Development, and Vegetable Breeding from 2012 to 2017. Before that, they held the position of Director of Vegetable Research & Development - Asia at Monsanto Company from 2009 to 2012. Robert also worked at the World Vegetable Center as the Global Theme Leader - Germplasm and Head of Molecular Plant Breeding & Biotechnology from 2006 to 2009. Robert de la Peña's first significant role was at Monsanto, where they were the Lead for Trait Development, Strategic Genetics, and Molecular Breeding from 1997 to 2006.

Robert de la Peña, Ph.D. has an extensive education history in the fields of molecular genetics, plant pathology, plant breeding, biotechnology, crop protection, and plant pathology. Robert obtained their Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, Plant Pathology, and Plant Breeding from Washington State University. Following their Ph.D., they went on to pursue a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, focusing on Molecular Genetics, Plant Breeding, and Biotechnology. Prior to their Ph.D., they completed their M.Sc. in Crop Protection and Plant Pathology at the University of Bristol.