William S. Niebur, Ph.D., Vice President, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development

Dr. 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.

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

Niebur has extensive global experience in plant genetics and biotechnology. In his current role, he has been instrumental in integrating two new and proprietary technologies, gene shuffling and marker assisted selection, into DuPont plant genetics product development. During his career, Bill has been granted several patents that have led to the commercialization of more than 30 Pioneer® brand products. And he has been instrumental in negotiating international research collaborations as well as the 2004 acquisition of Verdia.

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

In support of his community, Bill 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. Bill is currently serving on the Private Sector Committee for the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and on the advisory board for the African Agricultural Technology Foundation.

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