A wheat breeder and plant geneticist will be the new Director for the University of Saskatchewan's Crop Development Centre.

Dr. Curtis Pozniak takes over from Interim Director Dr. Pierre Hucl and will begin his five-year term on July 1st.

 "As the new director, I will continue to work with our funders, partners, and producers to advance our core vision to be the premier field crop breeding organization in Western Canada."

Pozniak received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1999, his PhD in plant genetics, and breeding in 2002 from the U of S.

He has been a faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources since 2003.

Pozniak has released 15 new varieties since 2003, has published a number of peer-reviewed research papers and leads an extensive research program.

Dr. Mary Buhr, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources says his multi-faceted excellence will lead the CDC to continue innovations in developing crops the world needs.

"Curtis has provided our producers with numerous popular varieties of durum wheat and been a leader in global science breakthroughs such as cracking the wheat genetic code."