Kevin M. Folta

I have been a scientist in public research for almost thirty years, mostly in basic plant physiology and molecular biology. I currently work in a fruit and vegetable producing state, working closely with farmers. I have a unique lens that meshes test tubes to test plots, understanding agricultural technology as a continuum, and relevant to food security.

My lab has produced somewhere around 100 peer-reviewed publications, almost exclusively with public funding.

I also am interested in science communication, and have studied (and still teach) rhetoric and argument. It is helpful in discussing hot ag topics like genetic engineering, fertilizer use, water conservation and insecticides. I also help my wife farm in rural Florida.

My blog goes back ten years, and my podcast (Talking Biotech) has over 300 episodes and 1.5 million downloads (www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com). I'm excited to write for venues like The Conversation to present scientific and communications topics that the broader scientific community might find informative.