Areas of Expertise
Plant breeding and genetics

Professor of Soybean Breeding
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
217-265-4062
bdiers@illinois.edu

The importance of soybeans as a globally important protein and oil crop is not lost on Dr. Diers and serves as a driving factor in his work as a plant breeder. He’s dedicated more than 30 years to improving the crop that produces more protein on a per-acre basis than any other crop and sees soybean protein as vital to feeding a growing global population. Currently, his research is focused on developing non-GMO varieties with high oleic acid and low linolenic acid.

In addition to his research role, Dr. Diers teaches undergraduate plant breeding and advises graduate students at the University of Illinois. Following his BS in Agronomy at the University of Minnesota, he earned an MS and PhD in Plant Breeding from Iowa State University.

Fun Facts!
As a university professor, Dr. Diers has been able to nurture his love of travel, visiting many places around the world he otherwise never would have seen. His favorite trip? A family vacation to Glacier National Park in the U.S. and Banff National Park in Canada!