For immediate release: October 30, 2024
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

Dr. Laura Johnson Joins MDARD as Chief Science Officer

Lansing, Mich. — Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the selection of Dr. Laura Johnson as the department’s Chief Science Officer within the newly created Office of Agricultural Science and Research.

“Dr. Laura Johnson brings a wealth of experience to MDARD’s new Chief Science Officer role,” said Boring. “This position continues our work elevating the role of science in the development of programs and policies to address challenges in Michigan agriculture, from water quality to climate resiliency.”

Dr. Johnson previously served as Director for the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, where she led efforts to expand water quality monitoring, partnered with stakeholder organizations, authored over 35 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and maintained a robust publicly available dataset. “I am excited to bring my knowledge and years of research experience to MDARD and the state’s agricultural sector,” said Dr. Johnson. “I look forward to working with a variety of partners across the state across the state to address the current issues facing the food and agricultural industry using the best-available science and innovative research.”

Dr. Johnson is widely recognized as a national leader in water quality research, leveraging a deep knowledge of agricultural operations, conservation practices, and agro-ecosystem science to develop new approaches and management recommendations for improved water quality outcomes. Dr. Johnson completed her postdoctoral research at Indiana University and obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and B.S. from Virginia Tech.

She joins MDARD effective October 30th.

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