Expert Details
Plant Biotechnology
ID: 724397
Minnesota, USA
Dr. Gaitan-Gaitan has acquired experience while developing specific methodologies to integrate and select genetically modified traits in plants. He has worked ag traits and PMPs to select high expressing transgenes for further advancement and pilot production. He has authored and coauthored SOPs related to specific processes under lab, greenhouse and field conditions to be executed under cGLP and cGMP. The use of modern techniques to develop these traits within a highly regulated environment, has led to the patenting of such methodologies.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1995 | Degree: Ph.D. | Subject: Plant Biotechnology | Institution: Texas Tech University |
| Year: 1991 | Degree: M.S. | Subject: Plant Breeding and Genetics | Institution: National University (Colombia) |
| Year: 1981 | Degree: B.S. | Subject: Agronomic Engineering | Institution: National University (Colombia) |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2004 to 2006 | Employer: Monsanto Company | Title: Commercial Breeder | Department: Breeding |
Responsibilities:Leader of a research station team, managing a comprehensive breeding testing program to identify high yielding genotypes for the West Central Corn Belt |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2001 to 2004 | Employer: Monsanto Protein Technologies | Title: Genetics Lead | Department: Genetics and Trait Development |
Responsibilities:He was in charge of the developmental screening of genetically engineered corn to express pharmaceutically active proteins. He designed breeding methodologies for event screening and advance with intermediate active protein production for initial clinical testing. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2000 to 2001 | Employer: Dow Agrosciences | Title: Trait Introgression Scientist | Department: Trait Development |
Responsibilities:In charge of transgenic event sorting for insect resistant traits and output traits in corn. Managed the off-shore trait introgression program and initial evaluation of selected events. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1998 | Employer: Dekalb Genetics Corporation | Title: Manager | Department: Parent Seed Services |
Responsibilities:He was responsible for maintaining the uniformity of inbred stocks and their genetic purity. Characterization and description of inbreds for commercial and registration purposes. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 1997 | Employer: Dekalb Genetics Corporation | Title: Research Associate | Department: Sorghum Breeding |
Responsibilities:Development of sorghum germplasm for commercial purposes, line and hybrid testing. Assisted breeding program with traditional breeding methodologies. |
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International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 2006 to 2006 | Country / Region: Chile | Summary: He evaluated worldwide corn germplasm collection adapted to the Northern hemisphere, winter nurseries for new introductions with tropical germplasm. Evaluated intermediate cycles of commercial breeding corn lines with adaptation to different maturities in the Northern Hemisphere and Central America. |
| Years: 2005 to 2005 | Country / Region: Mexico | Summary: Evaluated winter nursery and seed production of intermediate breeding cycles for temperate high yielding corn lines. He did a preliminary evaluation of new corn accessions for use in the improvement of temperate lines. He also performed an evaluation of tropical introductions for disease and yield improvement of temperate germplasm. |
| Years: 2000 to 2001 | Country / Region: Puerto Rico | Summary: He was in charge of trait development and Introgression of transgenic lines of temperate germplasm. Testing and evaluation of transgenic events for insect and herbicide tolerance. Use of molecular assisted methodologies, in combination with traditional breeding and environmental advantages to develop accelerated trait recovery and to maintain inbred integrity. He oversaw stock maintenance and purity for transgenic traits and hybrid production. |
| Years: 1987 to 1990 | Country / Region: Colombia | Summary: He was the Principal Investigator for a Seed Company, developing corn and soybean germplasm adapted to the tropics. He evaluated materials at different altitudes and latitudes with emphasis on high yielding producing areas of the tropics. He introduced new accessions from Central and South America, as well as from SE Asia. Managed continuous cycle breeding nurseries for the development of tropic corn and soybean germplasm. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| International Crop Science Committee; Cross-cultural Experience Program Committee; International Crop Science Committee; Biosecurity Committee, (CSSA-USA); Manuscript Reviewer, Agronomy Journal and Crop Science (USA) |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| He has several peer reviewed publications, and a patent (Pend). |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| He has presented scientific papers and reports in International Meetings. He has also presented short seminars on the Importance of Biotechnology in the development of new strategies for increased product and productivity in plants. He has delivered short seminars on Team Building and communication with emphasis on small location Ag environments. |
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| He is an expert in the development of technologies to integrate traditional and current breeding methodologies for the production of transgenic plants to express different compounds. He has experience working under cGLP and cGMP environments, developing the appropriate research and management structure to be compliant with Regulatory Requirements. He has knowledge of the International environment and needs for developing germplasm and integration of new breeding technologies, seed production and evaluation of germplasm. He also has extensive managerial experience as a team lead, recruiting, training, supervising and evaluating people, with team building and communication in complex matrix environments. Budget planning and execution. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| English | He was educated and lived for many years in an English speaking country |
| Spanish | He is a native Spanish speaker |
| Portuguese | He has some basic knowledge |
| Italian | He has some basic skills |