OUR TEAM
Sparked by Innovation and Fueled by Collaboration
Leadership
With decades of combined experience in discovering, developing, and commercializing early to late-stage agricultural technologies, our dynamic leadership team embodies our commitment to impactful solutions.
Martha Schlicher, Ph.D., MBA
CEO, Board of Directors
More than 30 years of Ag Tech commercial, strategy and technical leadership at Monsanto Corp. and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals along with Board roles at Greenlight Bio, VIVE, and the Department of Energy.
Dr. Schlicher received her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Illinois and an MBA from Northwestern University.
Ron Flannagan, Ph.D.
CTO
Dr. Flannagan holds a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Ohio State University and started his career in agriculture with a post-doctoral appointment at Pioneer Hi-Bred International.
Thomas Malvar, Ph.D.
COO
Over 30 years leading AgTech strategic and technical programs in developing pest control products at Ecogen, Monsanto Corp., and serving as Head R&D at Invaio Sciences, and CSO at Talam Biotech
Dr. Malvar received his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of New Hampshire.
Daqi Tu, Ph.D.
Vice President of R&D
Over a decade leading AgTech R&D teams in the discovery and optimization of insecticidal toxins at Monsanto Corp., Bayer Crop Science and Corteva Agrisciences
Dr. Tu holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University and completed post-doctoral fellowships at Stanford and Harvard Universities.
Board of Directors
With a proven history of success across various early-stage agricultural ventures, the Impetus Ag Board offers invaluable guidance and strategic insight to foster ongoing innovation.
Brian Clevinger, Ph.D.
Prolog Ventures | Yield Lab
Managing Director at Prolog Ventures and Yield Lab, Dr. Clevinger brings over 25 years of commercial bioscience expertise.
Ganesh Kishore, Ph.D.
Spruce Capital
Co-founder and Managing Partner at Spruce Capital, Dr. Kishore has a distinguished career in biotechnology R&D and business.
Mark Deadwyler, MBA
Elemental Enzymes
CFO of Elemental Enzymes, Mr. Deadwyler brings over 30 years of financial leadership experience in Ag tech and Pharma.
Hongwu Jia, Ph.D.
KWS
Head of Trait Development at KWS, Dr. Jia brings over 15 years of experience focused on trait-related R&D in the seed industry.
Scientific Advisory Board
The Impetus Ag scientific advisory board—with its extensive expertise and authorship of 114 Ag Biotech patents—represents decades of Bt discovery and development. Their work has led to the successful commercialization of topical and transgenic Bt products currently on the market.
James Baum, Ph.D.
Ecogen | Monsanto
Dr. Baum brings 30 years of expertise in plant trait and biological R&D targeting of insect pest species. He held key leadership roles, driving research that included developing cutting-edge strategies that merged insect control and metagenomics, discovering and optimizing insecticidal proteins, and developing RNAi approaches to insect control.
Lyle Crossland, Ph.D.
Monsanto | Bayer
Dr. Crossland has 35 years of recognized leadership in development of biotechnology traits for row crops, with a focus on insect control and herbicide tolerance traits. Most recently he was Head of Weed & Pest Control research in the Plant Biotechnology division at Bayer Crop Science.
Leigh English, Ph.D.
Ecogen | Monsanto
Dr. English brings 30 years of experience, holding key global roles leading programs in protein science, disease control, insect control, and plant protection. He is recognized for his key contributions that led to two important Bt transgenic products Yieldgard Rootworm™ and Yieldgard Vector Pro™.
Ken Narva, Ph.D.
Mycogen | Dow AgroSciences
Dr. Narva has 35 years of experience in agricultural biotechnology. He is known for pioneering products for Bt insecticidal proteins, RNAi-based insect control, and next‑generation seed traits. Dr. Narva led insect control platforms at Dow AgroSciences/Corteva Agriscience, and most recently served as Head of Insecticides at GreenLight Biosciences.