Robert Fraley

Dr. Fraley, who served for nearly 40 years as chief technology officer at Monsanto and helped develop the first genetically modified seed, provides guidance to the company as it advances its ground-breaking science and products in the field of soil DNA testing.

Often recognized as the father of agriculture biotechnology, Dr. Fraley led a team of agriculture scientists at Monsanto dedicated to developing seeds and solutions that help farmers produce a more abundant, affordable and sustainable food supply. He oversaw a team of researchers focused on plant breeding and biotechnology, ag biologicals, ag microbials, precision agriculture and crop protection innovations.

Retiring in June 2018, Dr. Fraley continues to passionately advocate for the use of technology to address global food insecurity and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture.

Among his notable honors, Dr. Fraley was awarded the prestigious 2013 World Food Prize for breakthrough achievements in founding, developing and applying modern agriculture technology and in 1999 was honored with the National Medal of Technology by President Clinton. In 2008, he received the National Academy of Sciences Award for the Industrial Application of Science for developing technologies that enabled the production of the world's first transgenic crops. The following year he received the Biotechnology Heritage Award from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the Chemical Heritage Foundation. In addition, Dr. Fraley has authored more than 100 publications and patent applications relating to technical advances in agricultural sciences.

Dr. Fraley, who resides in St. Louis, holds a Bachelor of Science and Ph.D. in microbiology/biochemistry from the University of Illinois and an executive degree in business management from Northwestern University, and was a biophysics postdoctoral fellow at the University of California San Francisco.