Staff
The people of The Land Institute tend to be like the prairie — diverse and perennial. We are working together to accomplish a mission to which we are all passionately committed. Click on the photo of each staff member below for their bio. Visit our Board of Directors or Interns page for additional profiles.
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Spencer Barriball
Research Technician, Perennial Legumes
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Glory-Benacka-May-2021-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Glory Benacka
Greenhouse Supervisor
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Amy June Breesman
Land Relations Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Peter.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Peter Callan
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher, Soil Ecology
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Tomas Cassani
Postdoctoral Researcher, Soil Ecology
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Eric-Casssetta-HOTL-Feb-2019-2.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Eric Cassetta
Phenomic Breeding Technician
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mantra_Yoga_Collective_2020-138.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Robin Chapman
Executive Assistant to the President
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Anita Chase
Operations Specialist
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Edy Chérémond
Research Technician, Crop Protection Ecology
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Marty Christians
Research Technician, Kernza®
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Stan-Cox-HOTL-July-2018-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Stan Cox
Ecosphere Fellow
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screen-Shot-2022-06-14-at-4.06.35-PM.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Evan Craine
Research Associate - End-Use Science in Crop Stewardship
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Pat Crepps
Facilities and Grounds Assistant
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Tim Crews
Chief Scientist; International Program Director, Director of Ecological Intensification
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Lee-DeHaan-HeadPhoto.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Lee DeHaan
Director of Crop Improvement/Lead Scientist, Kernza® Domestication Program
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Madeline-Dubois-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Madeline DuBois
Research Technician, Ecology
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Matt-D.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Matt Dunn
Research Assistant, Perennial Wheat
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Tiffany Durr
Facilities Operations Manager
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Madeline-Dykstra.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Madeline Dykstra
General Research Assistant
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Hana Fancher
Market Stewardship Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Westen-Gessel-Aug-2019-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Westen Gehring
Grants Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/adam-gorrell.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Adam Gorrell
Research Technician
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Olivia-Hamilton-July-2021.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Olivia Hamilton
Research Assistant, Greenhouse
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Scott-Hamilton-HOTL-DEC-2018-2-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Scott Hamilton
Facilities Manager
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Gina-Feb-2023-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Gina Harding
Research Assistant, Crop Protection Genetics
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Todd.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Todd Humiston
Integrated Pest Management Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Zach-Jake-May-2022.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Zach Jake
Research Assistant - Crop Protection Genetics
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Laura Kemp
Perennial Agriculture Project, Field Station Manager
![Tammy Kimbler](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tammy-Kimbler.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Tammy Kimbler
Chief Communications Officer
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Ron Kinkelaar
Research Technician
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Jessica-Kleoppel-Aug-2021.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Jessica Kleoppel
Director of Development
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Knapic-Reese-March-2023-3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Reece Knapic
Research Technician, Civic Science
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/213A0805-e1706144903339.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Emmie Lacy
Development Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1563844130704.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Bo Meyering
Applications Developer
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kendra.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Kendra Velasquez-Munro
General Research Assistant
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Ebony-HOTL.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Ebony Murrell
Lead Scientist, Crop Protection Ecology
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Pheonah Nabukalu
Lead Scientist, Perennial Sorghum
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lydia-Nicholson-Nov-2021.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Lydia Nicholson
Research Technician, Educational Design
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/new-headshot-square.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Tessa Peters
Director of Crop Stewardship
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Laura-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Laura van der Pol
Lead Scientist, Soil Ecology
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Keat.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Keat Robinson
General Research Assistant
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Krista-Robinson-Aug-20212.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Krista Robinson
Director of People and Culture
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dakota.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Dakota Santiago
General Research Assistant
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mercedes-Santiago.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Mercedes Santiago
Greenhouse Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Brandon-Schlautman-HOTL-June-2018-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Brandon Schlautman
Lead Scientist, Perennial Legumes
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tejas-Feb-2023-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Tejas Srikanth
Integrated Marketing Communications Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Aubrey-STreit-Krug-HOTL-5.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Aubrey Streit Krug
Director of Perennial Cultures Lab
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Rachel-Stroer-HOTL-May-2018.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Rachel Stroer
President
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Savannah Hall Taillon
Development Specialist
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Tracie-Thomas-Sept-2021.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Tracie Mattivi Thomas
Chief Operating Officer
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Yvonne-Thompson.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Yvonne Thompson
Research Associate, Crop Protection Genetics
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Betsy-Trana-Aug-2022.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Betsy Trana
Perennial Oilseeds Research Technician
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Kathryn Turner
Lead Scientist, Crop Protection Genetics
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/David-Van-Tassel-HOTL-2.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
David Van Tassel
Lead Scientist, Perennial Oilseeds (Silphium)
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Amanda-Stirn-HOTL-March-2018-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Amanda Wagner
Development Stewardship Specialist
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Shuwen Wang
Lead Scientist, Perennial Wheat
![](https://i0.wp.com/landinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kelsey-Peterson-Jan-2023.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Kelsey Whiting
Perennial Grain Policy and Government Affairs, Postdoctoral Researcher
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Brenna Wilcox
Operations Project Coordinator