November 21, 2008
AMES, Iowa — Mark Westgate, Iowa State University agronomy professor, becomes editor of "Crop Science," the flagship journal of the Crop Science Society of America, on Jan. 1, 2009.
Westgate was named editor during the October meeting of the Crop Science Society of America. He said most of his activities as editor will involve increasing the impact of the journal. These include ensuring a rapid and constructive review process, expanding publication of review and opinion articles on hot topics and highlighting research that addresses major agricultural concerns.
"We will develop a science impact and policy page to help readers understand how the discoveries we publish affect the scientific community and society in general," Westgate said. "Mentoring students and helping first-time authors engage in scientific discussion by publishing their research in "˜Crop Science' are high on my priority list."
"Crop Science" publishes original research from across the globe on agronomically relevant topics involving plant genetics, breeding, cytology, metabolism, physiology, ecology, turfgrass, weed science, crop quality, production and utilization, genomics, molecular genetics, biotechnology and plant genetic resources.