L. David Kuykendall Brings Expertise in Plant Research to the USDA
L. D. Kuykendall, Ph.D., conducts research on disease-resistant genes in plants

ELLICOTT CITY, MD, July 1, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ --Dr. L. David Kuykendall, Horticulturist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in microbiology.

With 34 years of experience in plant research, Dr. Kuykendall is noted for his expertise in molecular plant microbe interactions. He celebrates his 13th year as a horticulturalist for the USDA. In this capacity, he performs laboratory work to analyze plant DNA, conducts research on disease resistance in sugar beets, interprets data, and writes and prepares papers for publication. Together with a colleague, Dr. W.J. Hunter of Fort Collins, Colo., Dr. Kuykendall patented an improved strain of soybean yield-boosting bacteria. Enough of the resulting inoculum was sold between the years 1995 and 2009 to cover at least half the acres used to grow soybeans.

Dr. Kuykendall considers his career as a horticulturist to be the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. Fascinated by microbiology ever since his high school chemistry teacher handed him a textbook on the subject, he read the book from cover to cover and determined that there was only one thing that he wanted to be. He attributes his success to working hard and reading constantly to keep up with advancements in his field.

An alumnus of North Carolina State University, Dr. Kuykendall received a Ph.D. in 1976. He is a member of The American Society for Microbiology and the American Chemical Society, and has been published in more than 100 books and scientific journals. Respected by his peers, he was honored with a Tech Museum Award in 2004, a Federal Laboratory Consortium Award in 2002, and an Agricultural Research Center Technology Transfer Award in 2001. In five years, Dr. Kuykendall intends to complete his current research on disease-resistant genes in plants.

For more information about Dr. Kuykendall and his work for the United States Department of Agriculture, visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp/people/people.htm?personid=40917.

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