John Ryals (’77) is co-founder of AgBiome, which finds bacteria in the soil so it can protect crops against insects and pathogens. A board member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at North Carolina State University and Duke University, he boasts 30 years of experience in plant genetics and bioengineering. He served as head of research for CIBA-Geigy Agricultural Biotechnology, which created the first genetically engineered corn seed product, Maximizer Seeds. He established Paradigm Genetics and Metabolon, one of the world’s leaders in metabolomics, and other companies that focus on plant genetics and commercialization. He completed his postdoctoral training and taught at the University of Zurich.