Juan Carlos Martinez
About Juan Carlos Martinez
Juan Carlos Martinez is a Senior Research Associate at Benson Hill in St. Louis, Missouri, where he has worked since 2020. He has extensive experience in plant transformation and biotechnology, having held various positions at notable institutions including Iowa State University and Syngenta.
Work at Benson Hill
Juan Carlos Martinez has been employed at Benson Hill as a Senior Research Associate since 2020. In this role, he has contributed to the development of a yellow pea transformation pipeline and optimized a new soybean transformation pipeline. His work focuses on enhancing the quality of experimental results in soybean transformation experiments. He actively participates in scientific discussions and presents research outcomes to peers and supervisors, demonstrating his commitment to advancing research initiatives within the organization.
Previous Positions and Experience
Prior to his current role, Juan Carlos Martinez held several positions in the field of plant transformation and biotechnology. He worked at Iowa State University as a Plant Transformation Specialist for maize transformation from 2018 to 2019. He also served as a Corn Seed Program Coordinator at Syngenta for three months in 2012. His experience includes roles at Dow AgroSciences as a CPR&D Biotech Specialist and at Corteva Agriscience as a Senior Regulatory Associate. Additionally, he has held positions at Iowa State University as a Laboratory Manager and Graduate Research Associate.
Education and Expertise
Juan Carlos Martinez holds a Master of Sciences degree from Iowa State University, where he studied plant breeding, plant tissue culture, plant genetic transformation, and molecular analysis from 2004 to 2007. He also earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering in Crop Production and Crop Protection from Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, completing his studies from 1996 to 2002. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in plant transformation and biotechnology.
Research Contributions
Throughout his career, Juan Carlos Martinez has made significant contributions to plant transformation research. At Benson Hill, he has optimized transformation pipelines and provided scientific knowledge to enhance experimental results. His previous roles at Iowa State University included responsibilities as a Laboratory Manager and Visiting Scientist, where he contributed to various research projects. His ability to present research outcomes and engage in scientific discussions highlights his active involvement in the research community.