Danforth Plant Science Center Hires Director of its 140-acre Field Research Site
ST. LOUIS, MO., September 17, 2025– The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center today announced that George “Cody” Bagnall, PhD has been hired as the Director of its Field Research Site. Acquired in August 2022, the Field Research Site includes 140 acres of prime bottomland farmland in St. Charles, MO and serves as a crucial testing ground where scientists can evaluate and refine their research for real-world application. It occupies a unique position, bridging applied and basic plant science with environmental and management realities.
The scale of the Field Research Site allows researchers to test hypotheses under authentic field conditions, but with the support and infrastructure that is rarely available at larger scale sites. By studying how Danforth Center discoveries perform in authentic field environments—with all their complexities and variables—research teams can ensure that their scientific advances can deliver on the promise to benefit people and the planet.
Bagnall’s background is centered on systems engineering and science and he is fascinated by how components work together as integrated systems. Field research is inherently systems-based because of the complex interactions at play. His diverse training and experience, from aerospace engineering to soil science and root systems, has consistently focused on understanding how individual parts are interconnected.
“In this new role as Director of the Field Research Site I hope to bring my system level perspective to support the projects that the community is working on,” said Bagnall. “I'm excited to collaborate with a broad community of scientists and help them tackle critical questions in the challenging, unpredictable environment of field-based research. I hope to help the site continue to expand while diversifying both our user base and the range of plant species being studied.”
Bagnall joined the Danforth Center in 2021 as a Research Scientist in the Topp Lab where he managed the lab’s field team, designed and lead experiments that focused on understanding the role of roots in regenerative agriculture with a focus on developing and utilizing innovative phenotyping systems, along with conducting field-based experiments on cover cropping, nitrogen use and mechanical farming systems. Bagnall worked with his colleagues to develop in situ root imaging technology, which allows scientists to study plant roots directly in their natural environment. This kind of imaging technology has become essential because it can capture images of plants as they grow, providing real-time insights into how they interact with soil, water, and nutrients.
Shortly after completing his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University, Bagnall was introduced to some of the compelling questions in plant science. “I mistakenly believed that all the major challenges in agriculture and plant science had already been solved,” he explains. “As I began to understand the vast and important work still needed in this space, I wanted to be a part of the solution.” This curiosity was the beginning of Bagnall’s career in plant science. He went on to earn a PhD in agricultural engineering from Texas A&M University.
About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have an impact at the nexus of food security and the environment and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, the Gates Foundation, and through the support of individuals and corporations.
For additional information or images please contact: Karla Roeber, kroeber@danforthcenter.org.