Matthew Wallenstein

Matthew Wallenstein is a soil microbial ecologist who studies how microbes drive nutrient cycling, soil formation and decomposition, and affect crop health and productivity. His group has elucidated novel mechanisms by which plants control the assembly of the microbiome in their rooting zone, and has shown how this affects plant fitness. He has applied his expertise in plant-microbe interactions to develop and commercialize microbial biostimulants that increase nutrient availability.

Wallenstein is the Chief Soil Scientist of Syngenta Group. He is also a professor emeritus and former department head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University. He is the founding director of the Innovation Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the past president of the Soil Ecology Society, and the Chairman and co-founder of Growcentia, Inc.