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Lori Abendroth

Research Agronomist

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Dr. Abendroth is a Research Agronomist within the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit of USDA-ARS in Columbia, Missouri. The study of agronomy fascinates her. She strives to understand and develop cropping systems that are productive with high resiliency to climate change and a low footprint.

Her advanced degrees are in Crop Production and Physiology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MS, 2004) and Iowa State University (PhD, 2019). In her doctoral research, she investigated climate warming trends in the Midwest, changes in commercial hybrid corn maturities as a potential climate adaptation strategy, and corn yield response to improved practices across sites that differ substantially in overall productivity and soil carbon.

Prior to beginning with USDA ARS in 2021, Dr. Abendroth was at Iowa State University in managerial, research, and teaching roles. She has been a part of numerous multi-state and multi-institutional teams addressing climate adaptation strategies, nutrient and water quality, crop productivity, and overall sustainability challenges.

As a Research Agronomist with USDA ARS, she explores the productivity, sustainability, and environmental footprint of our Midwest cropping systems. She is particularly focused on climate adaptation strategies that build resiliency under our current climate and into the future. We are in a time of rapid change and she is striving for her work to advance our scientific knowledge while having strong implications for real-world agriculture.