Dr. Rachel K. Owen co-founded Missouri Science and Technology (MOST) Policy Initiative in 2016 and has served as the executive director since June 2019. As MOST Director, Rachel has worked to identify key decision points in the state legislative process and provide timely and relevant scientific information to policy-makers. Additionally, MOST equips scientists to effectively engage with decision-makers and hosts science policy workshops and events statewide. Dr. Owen received her Ph.D. in the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources, researching the impact of a changing climate on wetland ecosystems and landowner perceptions of climate and agricultural threats in the Great Plains. Prior to moving to Missouri, she completed her B.S. in Agronomy and Global Resources Systems at Iowa State University and her M.S. in Plant Science from South Dakota State University. She has been involved in leadership and professional organizations through the duration of her university career, including Co-Director of VEISHEA, Inc. at Iowa State, Founder of the Plant Science Graduate Student Association at South Dakota State University, and Graduate Representative to the Board of Directors of the Soil Science Society of America. Additionally, Rachel serves as an soil science instructor at University of Missouri, coaching the Mizzou soil judging team – Go Tigers!
