Jonathan Tyler Eckard

Jonathan Tyler Eckard is an influential leader in the plant breeding industry with a deep technical foundation and diverse experience. Currently serving as the R&D Product Unit Lead for Brassicas, Root, and Bulb at Bayer, Eckard leads a global team specializing in developing new vegetable varieties. Previously, Eckard held various roles, including Head of Tomato Crop Design and Discovery Genomics Lead, where they drove significant advancements in breeding strategies and genomic resources. Eckard obtained a Bachelor's degree in Forest Management, a Master's degree in Forest Genetics, and a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, all from North Carolina State University.