Giles Oldroyd Appointed as New President of Danforth Plant Science Center

Giles Oldroyd Appointed as President of the Danforth Plant Science Center

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Giles Oldroyd as its new president, following an extensive international search. Dr. Oldroyd, an esteemed plant geneticist, has been recognized for his significant contributions to the understanding of symbiotic interactions between plants and beneficial bacteria and fungi, which significantly aid nutrient absorption, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus.

Dr. Oldroyd is set to assume his new role on October 1, 2025. Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones and chair of the Danforth Center's Board of Trustees, remarked, "Dr. Oldroyd is a proven leader with a passion and strong commitment to improving lives through plant science. Under his leadership, we are confident that the Danforth Center will continue to drive innovative research, foster collaboration, and expand its global impact."

Since 2017, Dr. Oldroyd has held the position of Russell R. Geiger Professor of Crop Sciences and director of the Crop Science Center at the University of Cambridge. His remarkable work places him among the top 1% of most-cited plant scientists worldwide. Furthermore, he is one of the few scientists globally who are elected members of both the Royal Society in the UK and the National Academy of Sciences in the United States, the two most prestigious scientific organizations in the English-speaking world.

In addition to his academic accolades, Dr. Oldroyd leads the Enabling Nutrient Symbioses in Agriculture (ENSA) project, funded by Gates Ag One, which aims to sustainably improve crop yields in Africa through enhanced nutrient absorption. Recently, he was recognized by the World Food Prize Foundation as a member of the 2024 Pioneer Agri-Food List.

Dr. Oldroyd emphasized the importance of plant science in addressing global challenges, stating, "Plant science is essential in tackling the major global challenges we face. It is an honor for me to lead this prestigious institution as we continue to generate impact through new discoveries and technologies, ensuring sustainable food and fuel production."

Born and raised in the UK, Dr. Oldroyd earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of East Anglia and completed his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. He started exploring beneficial microbial interactions as a postdoctoral fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Stanford University. In 2002, he joined the John Innes Centre in the UK as an independent researcher before moving to the University of Cambridge in 2017 as a professor of Crop Science. His work has earned him numerous awards, and he is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

Dr. Oldroyd succeeds James C. Carrington, PhD, who has served as the president and CEO of the Danforth Center since 2011.

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

Founded in 1998, the Danforth Plant Science Center is a non-profit research institute dedicated to improving human well-being through the advancement of plant science. Its research, education, and outreach initiatives aim to make a significant impact at the nexus of food security and environmental sustainability, positioning the St. Louis region as a global center for plant science research.