On July 2nd 2013, Dr. Mehrzad (Milad) Eskandari was appointed as an Assistant Professor, specializing in soybean breeding in the Department of Plant Agriculture at Guelph's Ridgetown Campus. His research program will focus on the development of high-yielding specialty soybean varieties specifically suited for Southern Ontario.

Originally from Persia, Milad holds a BSc in Agronomy and Plant Breeding, and MSc in Plant Breeding from the University of Arsenjan. In 2006, Milad moved to Canada with his wife. He completed his PhD in soybean genetics and breeding in 2012, working with Dr. Istvan Rajcan in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph.

Milad was promoted after working as a Research Associate in the soybean breeding program with Dr. Rajcan this past year.

Milad plans to be actively involved in the teaching and service sectors of the University. He explains, "from my perspective, serving as a faculty member, regardless of its difficulties, is one of the best professions available".

With his new position, Milad expects to make great contributions to the plant breeding field, stating: "I am confident that I can make effective use of the impressive plant breeding talent and technologies available at the University of Guelph, as well as its national and international network of collaborators in my research, teaching and training of the next generation of scientists".

The Department congratulates Dr. Eskandari on his new position!

For more info see: https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/news/new-soybean-breeder-announced