William S. Niebur

William S. Niebur "is vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development, with responsibility for driving worldwide crop genetics research strategies to create new value for seed and agricultural value chain customers through advanced plant genetics.

"Dr. Niebur began his career at DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., in 1983 as a research station manager. In 1989, he was named European corn research director and relocated to France. He moved to Johnston in 1997 to serve as a corn research director. He was named a Pioneer vice president in 2002.

"Dr. Niebur, 48, has extensive global experience in plant genetics and biotechnology. In his current role, he has been instrumental in integrating new and proprietary technologies like gene shuffling and marker assisted selection into DuPont plant genetics product development. Earlier in his career, Niebur made material contributions to the development of the best performing corn hybrids for North American and Europe. He joined the company in 1983.

"Dr. Niebur holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Iowa State University. He earned his doctorate in plant breeding and cytogenetics from the University of Minnesota.

"In support of his community, he serves on the Drake University Community Advisory Board and is a board member of the Iowa College Foundation. He also supports Tuskegee University as the school's Pioneer business lead. Dr. Niebur is currently serving on the Private Sector Committee for the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the design advisory committee of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, and on the board for the Iowa Council for International Understanding and the Morris Scholarship Fund, Inc."