Eda Reinot
Head of Research and Development
Becker Underwood’s Global Horticulture Specialties,
Seed Enhancements and Inoculants
Ames, Iowa, USA

Becker Underwood, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, United State, is a developer and producer of innovative specialty products, including biocontrol agents for horticulture and agriculture. Company started in 1982 and is privately held. We have 11 operations locations throughout USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, France and UK. We serve customers in more than 60 countries.

My past roles at Becker Underwood:

1. Technical Manager for Becker Underwood Ames, IA location from 1999 – 2002
2. Formulation Chemist for Becker Underwood from 1995 – 1999

I am on the Board of Directors for ANBP since 2003. Serving as a Secretary of the Board and leading the PR efforts.

I am also on the Board of Directors of Biopesticides Industry Alliance (BPIA) and I am a member of Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT), although, I am not involved in their BOD

How long producing biocontrol products:
Since Becker Underwood acquired MicroBio Ltd. in 2000

My Interests:

• Have biological control products and practices to succeed in agricultural and horticultural commerce as part of IPM and as standalones (when practical) and promote the industry
• Extend the use patterns of commercially existing biocontrol products
• Develop new biological products (BU has a healthy development pipeline of them)
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators (USDA, EPA, PMRA, OMRI, PSD, etc.)

Education:

• Master’s in Chemistry (Tartu State University, Estonia, Europe)
• Master’s in Business Administration (Iowa State University, USA)
  

My past life in Europe (up to 1993):
I had my academic career as a researcher at the Dept. of Physical Chemistry of Tartu State University and Institute of Physics (both in Estonia, Europe. see link http://www.riik.ee/en)

My favorite nematode:
Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita – very robust performer to control slugs (the slimy fats! ) in versatile applications in glasshouses and broad outdoor conditions.