USU VP Named to Newly-Formed USDA Council
USU Vice President Mark McLellan.
Mark McLellan, Utah State University vice president for Research and dean of Graduate Studies, was recently selected as the inaugural chair of United States Department of Agriculture’s new Science Advisory Council (SAC). The council is part of the Office of the Chief Scientist at USDA.
The council’s initial mission has been designated to address issues such as reproducibility in agricultural research, gene editing and related technologies and citizen science as well as issues and opportunities of crowd sourcing of research analysis.
“It is an honor to be selected for this role,” said McLellan. “The challenges set forth in the initial focus of this science council will likely have extensive impact on researchers supported by USDA. They reflect major concerns across many disciplines, not just agriculture.”
The creation of the SAC is in response to the recommendation set forth in the President’s Council of Science and Technology (PCAST) “Report to the President on Agricultural Preparedness and the Agriculture Research Enterprise” from December 2012.
The council will provide advice and guidance, on a scientific basis, on the overall strength, practicality and direction of agricultural research, including emerging technology and scientific issues and report any findings publicly. It will also formulate recommendations on actions and policies for the advancement of agricultural science within USDA. The council will function as a formal subcommittee of the USDA NAREEE Board.
McLellan was recognized for his ability to lead the group in a fair and focused manner as well as his understanding of the mission of the SAC and its importance to the future of agriculture in the U.S.
The council includes representation from many national level organizations such as the National Food Animal Science Society, the National Crop, Soil, Agronomy, Horticulture or Weed Science Society, the National Human Health Association and the National Nutritional Science Society among others.
For more information about the SAC, see these websites:
National Agriculture Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board
Contact: Mark McLellan, 435-797-1180, mark.mclellan@usu.edu
Writer: Paige Pagnucco, 435-797-1429, paige.pagnucco@usu.edu
Comments and questions regarding this article may be directed to the contact person listed on this page.
