Valent BioSciences (VBC) announced that Randy Martin Ph.D. has been
named Global Technical Development Specialist for the company’s
burgeoning soil health business. Martin, who had previously managed
VBC’s R&D pipeline, brings more than 30 years of experience in the
agricultural biologicals space.
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Randy Martin Ph.D., Global Technical Development Specialist for the Valent BioSciences soil health business (Photo: Business Wire)
In his new role, Martin will serve as the primary global technical
resource for Valent BioSciences’ biorational soil health products. He
will also manage the global R&D programs for the broad range of
biorational soil health products in development for VBC and its
affiliates.
“Randy brings a unique combination of experience and skills to the most
rapidly growing area of our business,” said Steve Wiest, VBC’s Global
Business Manager, Biorational Rhizosphere. “His celebrated career and
dedication to building integrated programs that combine traditional and
biorational technologies is among the most highly regarded in the
industry.”
The addition of Martin marks another key move in VBC’s rise as the
thought-leader in the biological soil health space. In addition to its
acquisition of Mycorrhizal Applications, in 2015, Valent BioSciences has
enacted numerous licensing agreements and purchased promising microbial
library collections over the past several years. The company has also
invested heavily in new research facilities including the Bio-Research
and Development Growth Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
in St. Louis and the Biorational Research Center in Libertyville
Illinois.
“It isn’t often one has the opportunity to expand into such an exciting
new area within an industry as well established as ours,” said Martin.
“While the physical and chemical aspects of soil quality are well
understood, the impact of beneficial microbes and soil biology on crop
production is agriculture’s exciting new frontier. I look forward to
working with growers and other stakeholders to help maximize the
potential of our world’s soils.”
Martin earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Texas A&M University and
Master’s degree in entomology and toxicology from Clemson University. He
is a member of the Entomological Society of America and serves as
Chairman of VBC’s Soil Health Advisory Board.
About Valent BioSciences
Headquartered in Libertyville, IL, Valent BioSciences is a subsidiary of
Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Company and is the worldwide leader in the
development, manufacturing and commercialization of biorational products
with sales in 95 countries around the world. Valent BioSciences is an
ISO 9001 Certified Company. For additional information, visit the
company’s website at www.valentbiosciences.com
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