Leath named to IFDC board of directors

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University President Steven Leath has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Muscle Shoals, Ala.-based International Fertilizer Development Center.

“I welcome Dr. Leath to the board of directors,” said IFDC President and CEO Amit Roy. “He brings expertise in plant science and proven executive leadership abilities. In addition, Iowa State University is an exceptional leader in research and extension, and its graduates serve across the developing world.”

Leath became Iowa State’s 15th president on Jan. 16. Trained as a plant scientist, he served at three universities in teaching, research and economic development posts en route to the ISU presidency. Leath has published numerous scientific articles on plant disease resistance, plant breeding and related areas, and has presented his scientific work throughout the world.

Leath serves on the Iowa STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Advisory Council and is co-chair of the Greater Des Moines Capital Crossroads Capital Corridor Committee. He also is a board member of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and a member of the Iowa Business Council, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Crop Science Society of America and the American Phytopathological Society.

IFDC Board Chair M. Peter McPherson, who also is president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, said, “Steven Leath has had an exemplary career and is now leading an outstanding university. I am certain his expertise will be an asset to the IFDC board of directors for years to come.”

IFDC is a public, international organization, governed by an international board of directors with representation from developed and developing countries. The nonprofit IFDC is supported by various bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, private foundations and national governments.

IFDC focuses on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.