91传媒鈥檚 Thomasson named president-elect of national ag science, technology organization
Contact: Karen Brasher
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he head of Mississippi State鈥檚 Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is the 2022-23 president-elect the Council for Agriculture Science and Technology.
J. Alex Thomasson will officially assume his responsibilities as president-elect at the conclusion of CAST鈥檚 fall board meeting in October. In 2023-2024, he will become the 51st president of the organization, a singular honor and responsibility dating back to 1972, when Charles A. Black and Norman Borlaug, along with other committed scientists, spearheaded the movement to 鈥渂ring science-based information to policymaking and the public.鈥
CAST membership is composed of scientific and professional societies, universities, companies, nonprofits, libraries and individuals. According to the organization鈥檚 website, 鈥淭he wide distribution of CAST publications to non-scientists enhances the education and understanding of the public.聽At a time when the internet has made it more difficult to separate accurate and inaccurate information, it has never been more critical for reputable sources to deliver trusted, non-partisan information from authorities in their respective fields.鈥 For more, visit .
Thomasson represents the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers on CAST鈥檚 Plant Agriculture and Environmental Issues work group. He has been involved in writing two CAST Issue Papers鈥斺淕round and Aerial Robots for Agricultural Production: Opportunities and Challenges鈥 and 鈥淭he Role of Agricultural Science and Technology in Climate 21 Project Implementation鈥濃攁nd he has served as a liaison on other CAST publications.
In his role at 91传媒, Thomasson also is the William B. and Sherry Berry Endowed Chairholder. He manages 17 faculty members in research and extension associated with agricultural and biological engineering and technology and teaches approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students. He is a registered professional engineer and previously held faculty positions at Texas A&M University and 91传媒, while starting his career as a research engineer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Agricultural Research Service.
His vision for CAST includes maintaining scientific objectivity so position papers are viewed as informed and credible.
鈥淲ithin CAST鈥檚 position as a scientific authority on agricultural matters, modern means of communicating critical ideas to the public should be explored and adopted where appropriate,鈥 Thomasson said.
Thomasson said he wants to grow CAST鈥檚 membership. He believes with the growth of agricultural technology in the last decade, it is critical CAST expand its academic, nonprofit and corporate membership with emphasis on technologies. He hopes to do so by engaging young members and increasing their opportunities for involvement, while encouraging lifetime membership.
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .