Brenton Leach aims to enhance genetic testing and agricultural innovation.
The Indiana Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) appointed Brenton Leach as the new director of the Genetics Lab.
Leach first joined the ICIA team in 2020 as a Genetics Lab technician, equipped with a decade of experience in genetic purity and trait testing. In 2021, he was promoted to Genetics Lab supervisor, where he successfully managed daily operations and collaborated closely with the genetics team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University and has extensive expertise in laboratory automation, which he developed during his tenure at Dow AgroSciences.
In his new role as Genetics Lab director, Brenton will leverage his skills and experience to advance ICIA’s genetic testing services, ensuring the delivery of superior quality and exceptional service to the members of ICIA.
The ICIA (Indiana Crop Improvement Association) Genetics Lab focuses on various aspects of agricultural science, particularly genetic purity and trait testing. This type of laboratory is pivotal in ensuring the quality and consistency of agricultural products. By testing for genetic purity, the lab helps confirm that crop varieties and seeds are true to their genetic types, free from unwanted genetic variations that could affect yield, quality or disease resistance.
Trait testing, another crucial function of the lab, involves examining crops for specific genetic traits that are desirable in agriculture, such as drought tolerance, disease resistance or enhanced nutritional content. These tests help breeders and farmers select the best crops for planting and further breeding, contributing to more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.
The lab also likely utilizes advanced technologies in genetics, such as DNA sequencing and molecular markers, to conduct its testing. This technological approach allows for high precision and reliability in results, facilitating better decision-making in crop management and breeding programs.
