Karen V. Ambrose, PhD
About Karen V. Ambrose, PhD
Karen V. Ambrose, PhD, serves as the Director of Plant Soil Microbe Interactions at Kula Bio, where she has worked since 2021. With extensive experience in agricultural science, she has held various roles at notable organizations including Bayer Crop Science, Indigo, and Symbiota Inc.
Current Role at Kula Bio
Karen V. Ambrose serves as the Director of Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions at Kula Bio, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on the interactions between plants, soil, and microbes, aiming to enhance agricultural practices through innovative research. Her expertise in this area contributes to the development of sustainable solutions for food production.
Previous Experience in Crop Science
Prior to her current role, Ambrose worked at Bayer Crop Science in various capacities. She served as the Crop Efficiency Development Lead and Principal Scientist from 2020 to 2021, and previously as a Crop Efficiency Project & Product Development Scientist from 2018 to 2020. These roles involved leading projects aimed at improving crop efficiency and developing new agricultural products.
Education and Academic Background
Karen V. Ambrose holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where she studied from 2008 to 2014. She also earned a Master of Science in Biology from Western Kentucky University, completing her studies from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, she obtained a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Malaya, studying from 2000 to 2004. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her research in plant-microbe interactions.
Research and Development Initiatives
Ambrose has developed a de novo research and development pipeline that focuses on harnessing beneficial microbes to enhance food production. Her work emphasizes the importance of biodiversity restoration and the adoption of sustainable food production practices. This initiative reflects her commitment to preserving resources for future generations.
Career Progression and Roles
Throughout her career, Ambrose has held various scientific roles across multiple organizations. She worked at Symbiota Inc. as a Scientist in Research & Development, and at Indigo in several positions, including Scientist II and Intellectual Property Research Scientist. Her diverse experiences in agronomy and plant pathology have shaped her expertise in plant-soil-microbe interactions.