June 17, 2009

Hermodson named interim director of ag research programs

Hermodson replaces Sonny Ramaswamy, who becomes the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University on Aug. 1.

The ARP director leads Purdue's research programs in agriculture, food and natural resources, including fiscal management and regulatory functions, as well as coordinating agricultural research with the College of Consumer and Family Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine.

Purdue Agriculture's annual agricultural research budget is nearly $100 million, including almost $50 million in grants and contracts.

"Mark is a longtime Purdue faculty member, former head of the Department of Biochemistry and also held the interim director of ARP position when Randy Woodson was dean," said Jay Akridge, Purdue's Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. "He has much respect across campus, and that respect, plus his leadership experience, will help us make this transition a smooth one."

Hermodson is a native of Crookston, Minn. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and math from St. Olaf College in 1964 and a doctoral degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1968. Hermodson joined the Purdue biochemistry faculty in 1977, where he has focused his research on protein structural studies, particularly membrane transport proteins.

In addition to his previous assignment as interim director of ARP, Hermodson was interim co-director of the Bindley Biosciences Center at Purdue's Discovery Park from 2005-2007, when he retired.

"I am pleased to be asked to serve as interim associate dean and director of agricultural research while a search for a permanent director occurs," Hermodson said. "I had the privilege of serving in that role for 13 months in 2004-2005 and found the perspective one gets from viewing the total research portfolio of the Agricultural Research Programs very interesting and stimulating."

In his new role, Martin will represent ARP in all off-campus activities. His responsibilities have been expanded to include working with Indiana commodity groups on research funding.

Martin provides oversight for federal formula funding and Purdue Agricultural Centers. He serves on the boards of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Pork Board, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, North Central Agricultural Research Directors Association, Indiana Crop Improvement Association and Agricultural Alumni Seed Improvement Association. He teaches a capstone course in problem solving for decision makers in the Indiana University-Purdue University MS/MBA distance learning program in food and agribusiness.

Martin is an agricultural economist, specializing in agricultural policy and technology assessment, with an emphasis on biotechnology. A native of Kewanee, Ill., Martin earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural business and economics from Iowa State University in 1966 and master's and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue in 1972 and 1976, respectively.

He joined the Purdue faculty in 1976. Prior to his current ARP position Martin was the associate head of the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Martin has extensive international agricultural policy and development experience in Latin America, Europe and Africa.

Writer: Steve Leer, 765-494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Sources: Mark Hermodson, 765-494-1637, hermodson@purdue.edu

Marshall Martin, 765-494-8365, martin4@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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