Licht named co-director of the Iowa Soybean Research Center

On July 1, 2025, Iowa State University (ISU) Associate Professor of Agronomy Mark Licht (a member of ASA, CSSA, and SSSA) was named co-director of the Iowa Soybean Research Center (ISRC). He along with fellow co-director Steve Whitham will take over for founding ISRC Director Greg Tylka who will step away from the center at the end of 2025 to focus more time on his research responsibilities in the area of soybean cyst nematode at ISU.

Licht has been a long-time faculty research affiliate of the ISRC. As co-director, he will work to expand the research and educational activities of the center while maintaining a focus on soybean production research. Licht, a faculty member in ISU’s Department of Agronomy since 2016, has spent his career helping crop farmers improve their operations as an agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. His expertise is in soybean and corn as well as cover crops and conservation measures. His extension, research, and teaching program has focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability, and environmental goals. Licht has a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and agricultural extension education, a master’s in soil science, and a doctorate in crop production and physiology, all from ISU.

The Iowa Soybean Research Center was established in 2014 by ISU in partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association. The center was founded to increase soybean production and profitability for Iowa farmers through coordinated research efforts involving ISU, the Iowa Soybean Association, and the private sector.

—Source: Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences