Ag Scientist Amber Shirley Joins Biotech Center Initiative
Amber Shirley is on a mission to help North Carolina farms and farmers thrive.
This week the Ph.D. research scientist joined the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in the newly created position of Biotechnology Crops Development Director.
She reports to Gwyn Riddick, M.B.A., vice president of agricultural biotechnology.
Shirley was a product and technical marketing manager with crop science giant BASF in Research Triangle Park. She adds unique expertise in agricultural crops to the Biotechnology Center's plan for using biotech statewide to boost the ag economy $30 billion, to $100 billion by 2020.
Taking the State's Farming Legacy to the Next Level
North Carolina is already a leader in many forest, food and fiber products. Christmas trees and other timber products, sweet potatoes, hogs, poultry, tobacco, cotton, peanuts, watermelons and herbs are among the most prominent.
More than 86 percent of North Carolina's farms are classified as family farms, and more than 72 percent of those are considered small family farms. Even so, biotechnology has an increasing role in enabling farmers and their families to remain on the farm and reducing their use of costly crop-protection chemicals, fuel and time.
Agricultural biotechnology provides the tools and opportunity to develop and commercialize new crops and new uses for existing crops. It also offers higher yields for more income and lower costs for the farmer and for agribusiness.
South Carolinian with Solid Credentials
"Amber Shirley brings us valuable experience in research, business and marketing," said Riddick. "She first developed a passion for agricultural science as a high school student. That passion has blossomed into a unique career trajectory that makes her equally at home with growers, research scientists, entrepreneurs and major corporations."
Shirley said she decided to step into the economic development arena with the Biotechnology Center because it represents an opportunity to merge her skills and training into a public service framework.
"Growing up in South Carolina and now living and working in North Carolina, I understand many of the issues facing agriculture in this area," said Shirley. "I look forward to this opportunity to participate in the growth of North Carolina's agricultural industry."
"North Carolina has long been an innovative leader in agricultural biotechnology, from being a key producer of biotech cotton, one of the first biotech crops, to continuing to develop world-class research at institutions and major multinational corporations," she said. "I am proud to be part of the North Carolina tradition of helping the growers of today and tomorrow continue to benefit from the results of agricultural biotechnology initiatives."
Shirley was responsible for numerous patents at BASF, participated in a team identifying novel genes for improving crop yield and oil content, and most recently led the company's launch of a cotton fungicide. She has also contributed to numerous publications in scientific journals.
A native of Greer, S.C., Shirley earned a bachelor's degree at nearby Erskine College and a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry and molecular biology from Purdue University.
Shirley and her husband, David, live in Durham. They have one daughter.